Primal Fear (1996)
Primal Fear (1996), an American film directed by Gregory Hoblit, is a legal mystery crime thriller based on William Diehl’s novel of the same name. Martin Vail, an arrogant defense lawyer from Chicago, is notorious for representing undesirable yet high-profile clients such as mob boss Joey Piñero. Enjoying the spotlight, Vail is featured in a magazine cover story and attempts to reignite a casual relationship with Janet Venable, his former colleague who works as a prosecutor. When Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old altar boy from Kentucky, is caught fleeing the scene covered in blood and charged with murder, Vail offers to defend him pro bono. Aaron maintains his innocence but suffers from amnesia. Despite this, Vail believes him while John Shaughnessy, the state’s attorney, assigns Venable to prosecute the case and seek the death penalty.
At Aaron’s residence, Vail’s investigator Tommy Goodman is assaulted by another altar boy named Alex, who promptly escapes. Neuropsychologist Dr. Molly Arrington conducts an extensive interview with Aaron regarding his tumultuous upbringing, memory lapses, and the whereabouts of his girlfriend Linda. With assistance from Piñero, Vail uncovers information revealing that influential community members, including Shaughnessy, suffered financial losses due to Rushman’s choice not to develop church-owned property. During the trial, a message carved into Rushman’s chest is linked to a passage from The Scarlet Letter, incriminating the archbishop as ‘two-faced’. Vail and Goodman successfully locate Alex, who was in search of a potentially damaging VHS cassette.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Richard GereMartin Vail  Edward NortonAaron / Roy  Laura LinneyJanet Venable  John MahoneyShaughnessy  Alfre WoodardShoat  Frances McDormandMolly |
Primal Fear (1996), an American film directed by Gregory Hoblit, is a legal mystery crime thriller based on William Diehl’s novel of the same name. Martin Vail, an arrogant defense lawyer from Chicago, is notorious for representing undesirable yet high-profile clients such as mob boss Joey Piñero. Enjoying the spotlight, Vail is featured in a magazine cover story and attempts to reignite a casual relationship with Janet Venable, his former colleague who works as a prosecutor. When Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old altar boy from Kentucky, is caught fleeing the scene covered in blood and charged with murder, Vail offers to defend him pro bono. Aaron maintains his innocence but suffers from amnesia. Despite this, Vail believes him while John Shaughnessy, the state’s attorney, assigns Venable to prosecute the case and seek the death penalty.
At Aaron’s residence, Vail’s investigator Tommy Goodman is assaulted by another altar boy named Alex, who promptly escapes. Neuropsychologist Dr. Molly Arrington conducts an extensive interview with Aaron regarding his tumultuous upbringing, memory lapses, and the whereabouts of his girlfriend Linda. With assistance from Piñero, Vail uncovers information revealing that influential community members, including Shaughnessy, suffered financial losses due to Rushman’s choice not to develop church-owned property. During the trial, a message carved into Rushman’s chest is linked to a passage from The Scarlet Letter, incriminating the archbishop as ‘two-faced’. Vail and Goodman successfully locate Alex, who was in search of a potentially damaging VHS cassette.
