PRIMAL FEAR
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(Paramount)
Directed by Gregory Hoblit
Written by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, based on the novel by
William Diehl
Cast Richard Gere, Laura Linney, John Mahoney, Alfre Woodard,
Frances McDormand, Edward Norton
MPAA Rating "R" (presumably for language and violence)
Running Time 126 minutes
Reviewed at General Cinemas at Pleasant Valley, Raleigh, NC (4APR96)
==
A densely plotted, poorly paced adaptation of the William Diehl best seller, PRIMAL FEAR does have *one* thing going for it: the cast is *very* handsome. Richard Gere, in one of his good roles, as a high- profile Chicago defense attorney; Laura Linney (CONGO) as the prosecutor he once dated; Andre Braugher (TV's "Homicide") as his investigative assistant; John Mahoney as the state attorney he antagonizes; and the list goes on.
They all meet in court, after the brutal murder of the city's beloved archbishop yields a single suspect: a soft-spoken altar boy (played with surprising conviction by newcomer Edward Norton Hey Ralph!). Despite a few faces that don't register-- neither Frances McDormand's psychiatrist nor Alfre Woodard's no-nonsense judge make an impression-- it's fun to watch so many good actors knock-around on screen. Too bad that award-winning television director Gregory Hoblit doesn't know where to go with it.
As a potboiler thriller-- or, even, as a decent courtroom drama-- PRIMAL FEAR is just too slow. Despite an enormous amount of plotting, the film lacks any real sense of urgency. Very few scenes *move*. (You may even fall asleep!) And, as a character study, PRIMAL FEAR is just too murky. Gere's character is a fantastic creation: a hotshot lawyer with principals and, ah, convictions. The problem is that we're never shown how the events in the film affect *him*. Instead of, say, a coda that indicates growth, change, or awareness, all we get are a few closing shots of him outdoors, standing alone. What's the point?
Grade: C+
--
Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
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