Primal Fear ★★ 1996 (R) Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail (Gere) is torn between the fight for justice and the lure of fame. He seems to have found the spotlight when a gentle altar boy (newcomer Norton is a standout) is accused of savagely murdering an archbishop. This leads to some courtroom fireworks due, in part, to the fact that the prosecutor (Linney) is Vail's former lover. Gere turns in a satisfying performance but, except when he's with his client, can't keep the script afloat. Lame plot revelations and an obvious "shocker" ending don't help matters. Feature directorial debut of Hoblit, Emmy winner for TV's "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," and "NYPD Blue." Adapted from the book by William Diehl. 130m/C VHS, DVD. Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Terry O'Quinn, Andre Braugher, Steven Bauer, Joe Spano, Tony Plana, Stanley Anderson, Maura Tierney, Jon Seda;
Director:
Gregory Hoblit;
Writer:
Steve Shagan, Ann Biderman;
Writer:
Michael Chapman;
Cameo:
James Newton Howard. Golden Globes '97: Support. Actor (Norton); L.A. Film Critics '96: Support. Actor (Norton); Natl. Bd. of Review '96: Support. Actor (Norton).
