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8.6/10
FilmFascination Rating
The courts might not give you justice but the lawyers sure do play a vital role in the outcome. Like the bold and cheeky Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail says about truth – “The only thing that matters is my version of it. The one I create….‘the illusion of truth’”. Vail believes that every person, regardless of whatever he has done, has the right to the best defense his attorney can provide.
The movie does not waste time and is quick in taking its swift pace. Archbishop Rushman, a beloved figure and head of Chicago’s Catholic diocese, is brutally killed in his apartment. Meanwhile, a 19-year-old Altar boy from Kentucky, Aaron Stampler, who is covered in the blood of the archbishop, is caught on a run by the police. It is also caught live in action by the media. This incident quickly catches people’s attention. And as anyone would expect, Vail is swift in taking this case as Stampler’s defendant and offers to defend him pro bono. As Vail and his investigator Tommy Goodman (Andre Braugher) dig further into the case, they discover that some of the city’s most powerful men are involved in it.
Furthermore, Vail is fighting the case against his prior lover, Janet Venable (Laura Linney). Aaron innocently states that he did not do it and instead saw a shadowy third person in the room. Besides, also reveals that he admired the archbishop and was grateful for all the things he had done for him. His innocent face and his personality convince us that he is not capable of such a thing but at the same time, all the evidence supports his involvement in this heinous crime. So, what is the truth? Is it a clear shutdown case or is there something more to it? I would not like to say anything more about the plot and spoil the experience for you. But it does have some good secrets to reveal.
The courtroom scenes are very well shot. It is for sure a treat for people who like courtroom dramas. The movie successfully immerses you in it. Director Gregory Hoblit, the Emmy Award-winning writer-director of “NYPD Blue,” “L.A. Law” and “Hill Street Blues,” is no stranger to either the courtroom or the street. The story in itself is interesting but the actors have played a huge role in carrying it forward. Instead of thinking about who did it and how; what is to be admired is the movie itself and how it portrays itself. The character building in the film is surely something that needs to be appreciated. The director has given all the characters firm personalities which are delicately put forth with the help of some scenes. Like, the scene, where Vail asks Janet to dance with him talks much more about his character. Also, in the scene where he is drunk while sitting with a journalist, he lets us peek into his head.
The movie is very well-paced. It is never too fast nor too slow to lose our attention. The soundtrack, which includes the Portuguese fado song “Cancao do Mar” sung by Dulce Pontes, gives the movie that rush while providing some leisure moments whenever needed.
This was Edward Norton’s movie debut and I am really impressed. He did set the bar high for himself. I have seen Norton in quite a few movies and still, he somehow manages to surprise me whenever I see him act. In a way, Norton is the reason why the movie becomes impactful. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Richard Gere is well proficient in characterizing Martin Vail with that cocky attitude of his, along with some witty answers to everything. This surely is one of Gere’s career-best performances. Laura Linney is as expected quite decent in her performance. Also, the rich characterization makes the supporting players just as interesting as the main ones. The scriptwriters of Primal Fear, Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, play important roles in this achievement. May it be Alfre Woodard as the stern Judge Shoat, Frances McDormand as the firm Dr.Arrington, Vail’s investigator Goodman played by Ander Braugher, or the thug Joe Pinero played by Steven Bauer.
Favourite Quotes
Martin Vail: On my first day of law school, my professor says two things. First was: from this day forward, when your mother tells you she loves you, get a second opinion.
Jack Connerman: [chuckles] And?
Martin Vail: If you want justice, go to a whorehouse. If you wanna get fucked, go to court.
Martin Vail: [sitting with Jack Connerman in a bar] Why gamble with money when you can gamble with people’s lives? That was a joke. All right, I’ll tell you. I believe in the notion that people are innocent until proven guilty. I believe in that notion because I choose to believe in the basic goodness of people. I choose to believe that not all crimes are committed by bad people. And I try to understand that some very, very good people do some very bad things.
Martin Vail: [sitting with Jack Connerman in a bar] First thing that I ask a new client is, “Have you been saving up for a rainy day? Guess what? It’s raining!”
Martin Vail: [sitting with Jack Connerman in a bar] You either run for office or you wind up a judge. Why become an umpire when you can play ball?
Joey Pinero: [while walking through Joey Pinero’s old neighborhood] See this lot here? This lot used to be houses. In fact, there was a house over there on the corner where I kissed my first girlfriend. Got her pregnant, too.
Martin Vail: Hell of a kiss, Joey.
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