which film is about a cocky lawyer who represents a boy accused of killing a church official?

by Prof. Aurelia Hammes 9 min read

The film stars Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand and Edward Norton in his film debut. It revolves around a Chicago defense attorney who believes that his altar boy client is not guilty of murdering an influential Catholic archbishop.
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Primal Fear (film)
Primal Fear
Box office$102.6 million
16 more rows

Full Answer

What makes a good legal case movie?

A movie where the focus is not only on the legal case in it, yet the scenes and acting during those particular scenes are deep and emotional leaving audiences with a chill.

What is the lawyer movie from 1992?

Philadelphia - When a gay man with HIV is fired by his law firm because of his illness, he hires an unknown, homophobic lawyer as the only willing advocate for his wrongful dismissal suit. Top Lawyer Movie From 1992 If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Who are the actors in witness for the prosecution?

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Error: please try again. A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise. Director: Billy Wilder | Stars: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester Votes: 117,673 | Gross: $8.18M 6. A Few Good Men (1992) Error: please try again.

What is the movie Legally Blonde about?

In 1948, an American court in occupied Germany tries four Nazis judged for war crimes. The famous trial of those guilty for the holocaust, the movie grips you in more way then one. 17. Legally Blonde (2001)

Who killed the priest in Primal Fear?

As the brutal murder of Chicago's beloved archbishop by the hand of the shy nineteen-year-old altar boy, Aaron Stampler, makes the headlines, the high-profile defence attorney, Martin Vail, takes the opportunity to be in the spotlight.

What is the film Primal Fear about?

Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.Primal Fear / Film synopsis

Is Primal Fear real story?

Although the real story occurred in the 1960s, the movie is set in contemporary times. The film also stars Laura Linney (who was paired with Gere in the 1996 thriller “Primal Fear”) and “Will & Grace's” Debra Messing.

Is Primal Fear a good movie?

The plot is as good as crime procedurals get, but the movie is really better than its plot because of the three-dimensional characters. Gere is given several quiet scenes, including a half-drunken conversation with a journalist, to develop the complexities of his character.

Is Primal Fear movie on Netflix?

Watch Primal Fear | Netflix.

Is the movie Primal on Netflix?

Watch all you want.

What are the 5 primal fears?

Key points. There are only five basic fears, out of which almost all of our other so-called fears are manufactured. These fears include extinction, mutilation, loss of autonomy, separation, and ego death.

Why did Leonardo DiCaprio turn down Primal Fear?

Leonardo DiCaprio was the producer's original choice for Aaron/Roy, but he ultimately turned it down. Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the role of Aaron Stampler because he was exhausted from a demanding shooting schedule on What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993).

How did Edward Norton make his money?

Edward Norton is an American actor and producer who has a net worth of $300 million dollars. He has also earned a small fortune outside of acting, arguably more than from acting salary, thanks to extremely wise (and early) technology investments.

Is Primal Fear legally accurate?

In addition to that, the movie accurately portrays that cases can occur over multiple days, if not weeks or longer, in court, whereas many other films often convey the perception that cases are done and dusted within a few hours. However, the film does have some inaccuracies.

Why is Mystic River Rated R?

Why is Mystic River rated R? The MPA rated Mystic River R for language and violence.

Did Edward Norton won an Oscar for Primal Fear?

Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion PictureLos Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorBoston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting ActorPrimal Fear/Awards

Who was the girl in the VHS tape of the Archbishop?

Following a tip from a former altar boy about a videotape involving Stampler, Vail makes a search of the Archbishop's apartment and finds a VHS tape shot by Rushman that shows Stampler being sexually abused with another teenage altar boy and a teenage girl named Linda Forbes.

Why was Venable fired from the trial?

Venable is fired for losing the case, and for allowing Rushman’s crimes to be publicly exposed. Vail visits Stampler in his cell to tell him of the dismissal.

What does Stampler say when Vail confronts him?

When Vail confronts him, Stampler reveals that he had faked the personality disorder. No longer stuttering, he brags about having murdered Rushman, as well as Linda, his girlfriend. When Vail asks if there ever was a "Roy", Stampler replies that "there never was an 'Aaron.'".

What does Stampler say to Miss Venable?

However, as Vail is leaving, Stampler asks him to "tell Miss Venable I hope her neck is okay", which he could not have been able to remember if he had "lost time.".

How long is Murder in the First?

Murder in the First - A young attorney defends an Alcatraz prisoner who has been accused of killing another inmate, despite his client having just spent over three years in solitary confinement.#N#Length: 122 minutes#N# Director: Marc Rocco#N#Stars: Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman#N#Watch Movie: Murder in the First

How long is the movie The Client?

The Client - A small boy who saw the suicide of a mafia lawyer hires an attorney to help protect him when the DA tries to use him to take down the mob family.#N#Length: 119 minutes# N#Director: Joel Schumacher#N#Stars: Susan Sarandon, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Renfro#N#Watch Movie: The Client

How long is Justice for All?

...And Justice for All - An attorney is forced to defend a guilty judge, while still helping other innocent clients, and trying to find punishment for the guilty and provide justice for the innocent.#N#Length: 119 minutes#N#Director: Norman Jewison#N#Stars: Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe#N#Watch Movie: ...And Justice for All

Overview

Primal Fear is a 1996 American legal thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit, and written by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, based on William Diehl's 1993 novel of the same name. The film stars Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand and Edward Norton in his film debut. It revolves around a Chicago defense attorney who believes that his altar boy client is not …

Plot

Martin Vail is a Chicago defense attorney who loves the spotlight and is known for winning acquittals for high-profile clients on legal technicalities. He meets former lover and prosecutor Janet Venable at a charity event, but she rejects his advances.
Archbishop Rushman, a beloved figure and head of Chicago's Catholic diocese, is brutally murdered in his private quarters. The police chase and apprehend 19-year-old Aaron Stampler, w…

Cast

• Richard Gere as Martin Vail
• Edward Norton as Aaron / Roy
• Laura Linney as Janet Venable
• John Mahoney as Shaughnessy

Soundtrack

The soundtrack includes the Portuguese fado song "Canção do Mar" sung by Dulce Pontes.

Reception

Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 77% based on 47 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Primal Fear is a straightforward, yet entertaining thriller elevated by a crackerjack performance from Edward Norton." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, lists the film with a weighted average score of 46/100 based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Audiences surveyed by Cinem…

See also

• Mental illness in films
• Trial movies
• Plot twist

External links

• Primal Fear at Letterboxd
• Primal Fear at IMDb
• Primal Fear at Metacritic
• Primal Fear at Box Office Mojo