Primal Fear (1996)

 Spoilers Ahead!!

Pros: This screenplay is tight, filled with twists and turns, some which I picked up on, others I did not. And while I didn't find the sex tape shocking, back then, before the amount of scandals broke, it was pretty mind-binding. Marty Vail (Richard Gere, in probably his best performance that I've seen) is a hotshot attorney who likes gambling with the future of others and now, he's taken on a high-profile murder suspect, young Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton, brilliant), accused of viciously murdered a much-beloved archbishop. The sex tape is only one of the twists as the archbishop is a lot shadier than anticipated and the district attorney, John Shaughnessy (John Mahoney) isn't a good guy either. So while there is a lot going on, the screenplay interweaves most of it beautifully and the acting is top-notch with a stellar cast. Once Richard Gere realizes the cold, hard truth, he realizes that winning isn't everything. He's a shell of his former self. 

Cons: Despite the solid screenplay, there are holes, such as why does no one try to find Linda Forbes (not really shown on screen), the alleged girlfriend of Aaron who also participated in the heinous sex videos, and why is there the line that altar boys keep disappearing? And we don't have enough information on Aaron's background, including whether or not he was raised Catholic, vital important as he couldn't have been an altar boy without being one. Still, the film is worthwhile, albeit sad and depressing. 

Recommend: Yes

Grade: A-

Side Notes:

-The supporting cast is brilliant with Alfie Woodward as the cold-hearted judge but she is ultimately fair, France McDormand as the neurologist who diagnoses Aaron, Andre Baugher and Maura Tierney as Marty's team, Laura Linney as his ex-girlfriend and defense attorney.

-Tony Plana, before his Ugly Betty days and Joe Spano, before his NCIS days have cameos here.

-Janet (Linney) has the great line of her previous relationship with Marty, "It was a one-night stand, it just lasted six months." She wasn't wrong. Still, he does care about her.

-Another underdeveloped thread is the news article about Marty, which sort of fades rapidly into to background. 

-I wonder if they actually arrest Alex (Jon Seda), Aaron's friend, and if so, for what? 

-Aaron is a true villain, being able to convincedly act like he actually have two distinct personalities when that is actually a lie. The effort it must take to act like someone not true to yourself must be exhausting.