Filmmaker reacts to Primal Fear (1996) for the FIRST TIME
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- Опубліковано 15 січ 2025
- Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to Primal Fear. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
Original Movie: Primal Fear (1996)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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This role alone could have made an actors career, but to follow it up with such classics as Fight Club, American History X and Rounders is amazing to me. Edward Norton is one of those actors that we should never expect anything from, because whatever you expect, you will be given something so much more. A lot of actors could have filmed the curb stomp scene in American History X, but none of them could convey everything that Norton did with just a smirk.
He is a really fantastic actor
When the cop grabs him the smirk goes to bafflement so suddenly and it's captivating
A bit sad he isn't in many movies anymore
@@siam4407 It's not that he isn't in many movies anymore. People just don't see them advertised as much because he's an artist and very selective of his roles. He's done a lot and challenges himself with more things that aren't mainstream. Check out Motherless Brooklyn (2019) and you'll see what I mean.
I think this was his first big movie too. he is really talented
Can you believe this was Ed Norton’s first acting role!?!? Amazing. Since nobody had seen him before, there was no inclination to see him as “bad” like his character in American History X was.
Agreed!! Honestly that channeling reminded me of American History X hahaha
@@JamesVSCinema I heard that it was a huge open casting call for the role with thousands of people auditioning. Edward Norton was a complete unknown.
It wasn't his first acting role. It was his first movie role. Norton had done plenty of theatre acting before being cast in Primal Fear.
@@zammmerjammer semantics. I’m talking about movies, sorry I didn’t clarify.
I saw this in the theatre for Richard Gere, but left wondering who the hell was this amazing guy Ed Norton??? I had never heard of him before and wondered why. Lol.
Listening to him complain about the wrong nature of Norton's stutter knowing that he will later find out the character was actually faking it gives me chills. It proves how good Norton is as an actor, he is told to stutter but in a way that a person would stutter who is faking a stutter.
Actually, in an interview, I think Norton says it was his idea to do the stutter. That wasn't in the original script.
Primal Fear is a movie that is both underrated and overlooked. An amazing performance piece! Richard Gere was never more engaging than he was here, Edward Norton delivered a show-stopping performance, and let's be real, who doesn't love Laura Linney? Great movie! Great reaction as always James!
"his stuttering sounds like he's doing it purposefully" oooh boy, I can't wait
Hahaha was ONLY able to spot that because of my experience with it lmfao. Who would’ve thought haha
When you think about it Ed Norton really has a problem keeping his personalities in check.
LMFAO. This is genuinely hilarious.
Brad Pitt suddenly flickers on screen.
I've never seen anyone react to this, and I've always wanted. What a shock to see this pop-up. This is a forgotten gem with one of my favorite ever performances and endings.
I only know of one other reaction on UA-cam
Your scepticism of the stutter playing into the films hands is cool. It reminds me of the videogame Bioshock when I disliked the rebel leader's Irish accent because it sounded so stereotypical to me (as I'm from Ireland).
But when it turned out the accent *was* fake and he was actually a mobster who staged his own death and created a new identity, the whole thing was elevated for me. Fun fact I later learned was the voice actor for the Irish persona was actually really from Ireland but was deliberately exaggerating his speech to sound fake. Making it top notch voice acting.
Norton got a well deserved Oscar nod for this.
Good man!
I don't know anything about stuttering, so the twist ending completely blindsided me. Ditto for my mom, sister, and everyone else I know who has watched this. I think it's really cool that you had that inside knowledge and used it to pick up on details the rest of us missed. But you gotta admit, even then, this movie has some surprises. And what a cast, too. I daresay Ed Norton upstaged the great Richard Gere with his debut film. Plus the cast is rounded out with powerful character actors: Laura Linney, Alfre Woodard, Frances McDormand, Andre Braugher, etc. This movie is a mystery, a courtroom drama, and a bit of a neo noir film at times.
I agree!
What’s so ironic is that ppl who are familiar with that speech impediment, notice that something is off, but they just assume that it’s because the actor doesn’t stutter, so it still works. But the reveal makes so much sense to them, that they enjoy that detail.
@@Ivy94F Also nobody knew Norton at the time so they didn’t know how he really spoke.
I think thr biggest twist was there was no a. I liked that.
@@Ivy94Fya. and Aaron was so sweet.
but occasionally he had supers smile if u pay attention.. well before Roy showed up
11:25 - "James, why you focusing on the stuttering?" Because it's a clue! Other's have commented and your suspicions are vindicated in the end. I'm just voicing my support of the aforementioned suspicions. 😉
13:30 - Suddenly Frasier's dad isn't a sweet, but cranky old man, y'know?
17:42 - Aaron switching to Roy in this scene was absolutely jaw-dropping. Your vocal response was basically my own, but I watched it alone and in silence. I was just *floored*!
18:55 - "I got a theory." Man, why you gotta think during these movies? You ruin the whole thing for yourself. 🤣
24:55 - And here we are, the true story getting revealed. A second ending was considered, with Vail exposing Aaron/Roy in court. But they thought that having Mr. Big-Time Lawyer getting so brutally burned by a seemingly simple country bumpkin was a much better story.
Edward Norton's premier, breakout role. I remember seeing this movie and marveling at Norton's performance and wondering why I'd never see him or heard of him. Silly me.
One of the great twist endings in cinema. Edward Norton is brilliant in this. The one that made him famous.
Check out Suicide Kings. It's on this level of wtf endings also. Great cast, including Christopher Walken 😉
@@toxikelement1372 Love that movie, so brilliant.
I'm actually really surprised that nobody mentioned that Norton was also in _The People vs. Larry Flynt,_ another excellent film. Woody Harrelson played Flynt, a surprisingly good Courtney Love was Flynt's stripper-turned-partner, and Norton was Flynt's attorney in several of the "Hustler" owner's trials. The film was directed by the amazing Milos Forman (of _Amadeus_ and _One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest_ fame), and all three were brilliant in their roles.
This movie made Edward Norton my favorite actor. He does this type of split role again with Robert De Niro in another film about Thieves called "The Score" (i think that was the name). Except you knew from the beginning it was an act but he does it soooo well. He is a genius actor. Thanks James!
Yeah, The Score is great.
Spoiler Warning!
@@TimWing23 lol. It's not a spoiler because it wasn't a secret. I think it's even in the trailer
Really almost all of Nortons' roles have some element of duality. Whether it's an act for the character like here and the score or some thing more integral to the character like in fight club.
@@scipioafricanus5871 literally go watch the trailer...it's within like 10 seconds they show it. It isn't a special twist. Go watch it. It isn't the point of the movie. You are supposed to know.
Greta job noticing the stuttering being off James, especially with the switch up/twist. As someone who suffered stuttering, I also thought it was a bit suspect, but not to the extent you did. Great reaction as always!
1000% happy to share that revelation with you then haha. Much love to ya Duke!
The real question is:(apologies to the Matrix' Oracle)
Did Norton intentionally flaw his stutter to hint at his character's conceit?
A young, eager actor looking to make his artistic mark defines a 26yr old Edward Norton -- so yea I think he dropped that subtle clue.
@@JamesVSCinema I think you should watch Motherless Brooklyn where Ed Norton directs and stars as a detective with a stutter. I think it’s a good movie if you take Ed Norton out. It’s a beautiful period movie.
@@JamesVSCinema the female love interest is in 'Ozark' the interesting thing is that she is also from Chicago in that series and her husband is 'Marty'. She says Marty a ton in both. I thought I was going crazy. But yes in fact that is the case. That they were made 20+ years apart makes it seem weirder.
This was Edward Notion’s first movie. I saw it when it came out and was amazed by his acting.
Yup. He received an Oscar nomination for this, too.
This movie was my introduction to the genius that is Ed Norton. Followed by American History X he quickly became my favourite actor. You should see him in Leaves of Grass, he plays twins in that.
Your instincts were so spot on during this movie. The stuttering, the Scarlett Letter, how things just didn't feel right. Roy gave everyone exactly what they wanted, but like Goodman, you didn't buy it, BUT EVEN THEN ... you were still surprised at the end. Very good reaction.
Man I no matter if I'm having a crazy day, whenever I start one of Jame's videos and I hear that "yo yo yo" in that super chill and peaceful tone, I'm ready to kick back and stop my racing thoughts! Love this guy's channel and attitude. And he REALLY need to make a t-shirt that reads, "What the heck?!" with his profile/face in an artsy way.
This movie is one of my all time favorites. The ending completely blew my mind and left a lasting imprint on me
What a debut for a powerhouse of an actor. Love him in so many movies.
If you are interested, a very underrated Norton movie is the prequel to "Silence of the Lambs", called "Red Dragon". It's a great Hannibal Lecter movie, with an all star cast (Hopkins, Norton, Fines, Hoffman). It's also a remake of Michael Mann's early movie "Manhunter". I like both, and it's interesting to watch two so different adaptations side by side.
I like Manhunter better of those two for two reasons:
A. William Petersen owned that role, as good as Norton is as an actor
And
B. Michael Mann is an artist where Brett Ratner is a hack
@@FirebirdCamaro1220 I have a huge soft spot for Manhunter for it's amazing score, and obviously Petersen. But, you got to admit that Ralph Fines did an amazing job as the villain. He was given so much more material to work with, and he pulled off the scary, pathetic and conflicted serial killer so well. Tom Noonan was more subdued, and had less material to work with. And I am not even gonna get into Hopkins vs Cox. I do think Cox had a different approach towards Lecter, with his more snappy, aggressive and evil delivery, but Hopkins is Lecter.
Andre Braugher is not just from Brooklyn Nine Nine. He is Frank Pembleton from Homicide: Life on the Street. One of the most amazing characters ever on tv. Loved him ever since. The whole show. All the actors and the roles they played were top notch. One of the best shows on TV.
Ughhh such an amazing show with some great actors!!
He was wonderful in Duets.
I agree 👍🏾!
R.I.P to Andre Braugher. Just watched Glory again today as well. He passed away recently.
@@stich21 R.I.P. 🥀
this is such a great movie i didn’t even notice that stuff like the stuttering i really thought he had a split personality and when the end came I was so shocked when he said he made Aaron up this movie has such a good twist at the end
Crazy right!? If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t even have seen it coming like that.
Everyone remarks about Edward Norton in this film (and rightly so!), but Richard Gere is brilliant here. An often underrated actor, IMO. Everyone remembers him for films like "Pretty Woman," but he was at his best in dramatic roles like "American Gigolo," "Cotton Club" and "Breathless."
"He has a good face." Dude...Richard Gere? Yes..he does. 🤣 I remember being so completely freaked out by this movie. My reaction to the murder was pretty much you. I couldn't stop seeing that hand scene the entire movie. 😅
Loved your entire reaction but especially the scene between “Roy” and Marty. Your surprise and delight of how good the acting was and figuring out what was going on was great. I think that’s one of the scenes which made me take notice of Edward Norton as an actor and how he was one to watch in the future.
One of my all time favorite sleeper movies. Everyone I get to watch this are always blown away how good it is.
Sleepers is my favorite sleeper movie.
Edward Nortons first film AND got Oscar nominated.. then he goes and does American History x, fight club, and rounders. what an actor!! hes def one of my favorites
great movie choice!! i think they originally wanted leo dicaprio for this role but he turned it down, so they went on a nation wide casting call and found ed norton. he killed it in this movie.
I saw this at the cinema in 96 and the whole audience let out a sound of shock at that last scene .
It was the birth of Edward Norton's career
Another great one! Ed Norton’s performance is so good.
Love his work so much. Great role for him!
@@JamesVSCinema your reviews are very helpful and great imo. Keep it up👍. Good movie and an great plot twist btw.
Thanks for reacting to this movie, its an underrated gem!
Gotta give props to the Patreon! 🙏🏽
It is a tragedy that Edward Norton didn't become bigger than he did. The man is an acting genius. I never saw the twist come when I saw this back in the day. He nailed this role.
Interesting question you brought up early on. The challenges of a Defense Attorney. It made me think, which has a higher moral conflict: Prosecutors or Defenders? I guess in the end, I'd rather defend a guilty man than put an innocent man to jail, but woof. Both have to weigh on the soul.
"His stutter is weird"
"It sounds like he's doing it on purpose"
Good catch!
do we think Edward Norton would've had a more realistic stutter if his character actually had one? It would be cool to know.
Yassss! Can't wait to watch this video - I wish more people would react to this film. SUCH a good movie and amazing performances by all the cast.
Awesome reaction! Your comments made me remember just how good the cinematography was in this movie, so I looked it up. The DP was Michael Chapman, same guy who did Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and The Fugitive. Now that I'm thinking about it, the great aerial shots in this were very similar to the ones in The Fugitive. No wonder!
Yup. And both The Fugitive and Primal Fear were filmed in Chicago!
Finally somebody reacted to this movie. This is one of my favorites.
Ed Norton is such a brilliant actor. This, Death to Smoochy, American History X, Fight Club, 25th Hour... I'll watch his films every time, no question!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this reaction. And thanks to the patreons that recommended it. I've been asking you to watch this on a few of your other reaction videos. I knew you would like it. A very underrated movie and almost no one reacts to it. Next maybe ARLINGTON ROAD?
Seconding 'Arlington Road'. I love that movie, but no one I know has ever seen it. I'd be curious to see what James would think of it.
Arlington Road is a good movie.
Literally never clicked so fast. It really holds up on rewatch too.
If you're not familiar with Richard Gere there are definitely some great movies across a bunch of genres for you to check out: Pretty Woman (romance), Days of Heaven (Terrence Malick drama), Chicago (musical).
Officer and a Gentleman too
And of course, the role that really put him on the map, 'An Officer and a Gentleman."
Highly recommend Days of Heaven
@@jeffkovacs6521 I thought that was American Gigolo... ;-)
Rich and The Gerbil
One of the most underrated movies of all time.
Ahhhhh!!! I just literally gasped out loud. I love this movie. Edward Norton is so good🙌🏻
Ayyyy have a blast Victoria!! 🙏🏽♥️
@@JamesVSCinema I am!☺️
In my experience a stutter/stammer pathology is more than just vocal but also related to the face and diaphragm. Bulging eyes, curled lips, and a tense throat are signs. Also loss of breath, flaring nostrils, and "mouth-breathing" are additional signs. Its physiological not just an odd speech pattern.
Such an underrated movie!
Another movie I really liked is called "Fracture" with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. Gosling plays a young hotshot prosecutor. It's a thriller/mystery.
Same director for both movies (Gregory Hoblit)
@@FirebirdCamaro1220 oh really? Interesting I didn't know that.
My mother was a paralegal who worked for a defense attorney. His position was simple; even if the person did it and was a horrible human being guilty as sin, they still deserve the full protection of the law.
It was really interesting embodying a character around that. Then later finding out that the guy was actually evil. Sheesh.
This was my introduction to Norton which then led me to watch "The Score" later on and I thought he was brilliant in both. I think since this was his first gig he was just rough around the edges when it came to the stuttering. In "The Score" however he imo perfected his ability to take on these types of roles.
Another great Court movie with an All-Star cast is Sleepers. Brad Pitt,Dustin Hoffman,Robert Deniro
What a treat! Great movie that's criminally underrepresented in the UA-cam reaction space. Really great performances, and what an ending, and that ending shot. I knew you'd dig it as soon as I saw it in my sub box, great vid!
Edward Norton was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for this, his first movie role. Incredible.
Such a great cast. Also seeing Laura Linney made me realize I've never seen a reaction to The Squid and the Whale.
"I don't wanna jump to any conclusions"
*buys a "jump" to conclusions mat from Office Space*
"That's the worst idea I've ever hear in my life, Tom"
"Yes, it's horrible! This idea"
🤣
The way I gasped when I saw you posted this. I LOVE this movie so much. I mean Laura Linney, Richard Gere (an actual icon), Ed Norton?? I'm so glad you watched it.
the 90s were a great era for these types of movies
Richard Gere is fantastic when the script is good. Officer and a Gentleman is FANTASTIC
My life changed the first time I watched this movie. WOW. Edward Norton fan from that day to this one.
One of my favorite movies! I was so impressed with Norton after this, he’s been my favorite actor since. The story of how he came to get this role is really interesting too.
His first movie ever. Just wow!!!!!!
"It feels like he's faking the stutter. Sorry I'm focused on the stutter...". Knowing how this movie ends 😬
I've been waiting a year for you to do this one! Solidified Edward Norton as one of my fav's.
Dude, I am so glad you did this one.
Patreon peoples for the win!
Norton giving a masterclass in acting
It’s crazy how many movies Locke from Lost is in before I knew him as Locke from Lost!! He’s in sooo many movies!
I loved this movie when I first watched it! One of the best and most unexpected twists I’ve ever seen in film! Love the channel bro! 🤙🏽
I forgot how good an ensemble cast this film had! So many actors that went on to have careers of their own.
This was definitely Edward Norton’s coming out party as far as acting goes. His performance blew everybody away. Such a great performance, such a great movie.
I haven't even watched your video yet but already liked it because I've been waiting for somebody to react to this movie. Finally lol!!
25:06 heres face is so good here. u can see the anger that he realize he was played. its not sadness its.. you mfer.. but also blaming himself as he realizes his own decipt wothin himself - yes. u did it for fame. no matter what u tell yourself-
Edward Norton exploded like fireworks onto the scene. The casting agent deserves kudos because just about everyone in this is a stellar actor from film and TV.
The Mothman Prophecy is a great Movie to react to. Richard Gere is excellent in it and the filmmaking is top drawer. Scary as hell too. 🤘
AND also starring Laura Linney too!
I LITERALLY JUST FINISHED THAT MOVIE JUST A FEW MOMENTS AGO, AND I DID NOT SEE THAT TWIST COMING!?!?!? WHAT!?!? Great movie!!!!
Aw, I really wish you hadn’t talked through Roy’s introduction. His handshake offer was hilarious and got a huge laugh in the theatre. Love your reactions, though!!
Another great suspense thriller to watch is "Frailty" (2001) with Mathew McConaughey and Bill Paxton.
It's grossly overlooked and underrated.
That's a good movie.
@@ItsVincentAgainI agree.
As soon as you picked up on the stuttering I smiled. This movie is so underrated!
I saw this in the theater and Ed Norton was on my radar ever since.
I did not see the ending coming. This is an underrated film.
I LOVE this movie only discovered it last year
I love this, I wish more reactors would check this movie out!
A favorite of mine so excited to watch this one. Another great movie I’ve tried to get watched by other react channels is Sleepers. Totally worth a watch.
That song is embedded in my childhood memory. Tremendous.
Andre Braugher's greatest role: Frank Pembleton (Homicide Life on the Street)
Yes!!! Whenever someone calls him the guy from Brooklyn 99, I’m like, “Naw, that’s Frank Pembleton!” I’d kinda love to see James react to that as a tv series. At least the first, maybe, 5 seasons, before NBC forced them to get too ridiculous. All time favorite show tho.
Finally someone reacts to this. Norton on fire!.
"25th Hour" is a must watch. My 2nd favorite movie all-time.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Glad to see it getting the respect it deserves. Thanks for the video, James.
Not sure if you're looking for suggestions but another sleeper hit movie I think you would love the visuals, writing, and acting in is The Salton Sea (2002) starring Val Kilmer, VIncent D'onofrio, and Peter Sarsgaard.
I completely forgot about this movie, and as soon as I saw this pop up I was like "OH YEAH, THIS MOVIE IS AMAZING."
Norton's performance is incredible
While I do think this is a great movie, the ending always annoyed me because it's so implausible. "Huh, this guy who is accused of a violent murder had a violent outburst in court. I'd better declare a bench trial and pronounce him criminally insane without summoning a single expert witness or having any medical evaluation on him".
No court anywhere on the planet would do that.
You asked if the movie is legally accurate....eh...no, not really. Some of it is pretty bad. It's theater rather than being a realistic court room drama. If you want a realistic court room drama, you could watch the Rain Maker. It's not as exciting, but its accuracy for the nuance of legal procedures is perfect. Believe it or not, "My Cousin Vinney" is also very accurate, allowing for the fact it's a comedy.
Also, people found criminally insane are not "out in a month". They can be confined indefinitely. Killers who are found criminally insane (And there are examples of them), are usually never released from confinement, and can stay there longer than they would if they'd just been found guilty. It's a Hollywood trope that the "insanity defense" is some kind of soft option.
Hahaha I questioned the “authenticity” within the courtroom. I get the story they were trying to portray, and honestly I love it. However, I do agree, if there was alittle more effort into making this realistic at least in the court..that would’ve only added. But again, I don’t know a damn thing about all of knowledge that comes with that hahaha!
@@JamesVSCinema As far as court room procedure is concerned, they get a lot wrong. Expert witnesses opining outside their area of expertise, and people wandering around in the well of the court.
The lawyers can have side bars with the judge - which is another things you asked about. They can do it as often as the judge allows (although the stenographer would be with them to make sure what was said was still on the record, even if it wasn't being broadcast to the Jury).
But one of my pet peeves is people walking around inside the well of the court room. You're not allowed to do that without permission. At once point before a sidebar the lady lawyers asks if she can "approach the bench". You have to do that every time you want to step into the well of the court.
If you want to approach a witness, you have to ask the judge. If you want to approach the bench, you have to ask the judge. If you want to wander around in front of the jury, you have to ask the judge. In most trials, council will stand at council table and not go beyond it unless invited to by the judge.
If you step into the well of the court without permission, the bailiff will stop you.
That's one of my personal pet peeves in every legal drama where people just burst into the well without asking and not a bailiff tackle in sight.
Presumed Innocent is also a good legal thriller. Harrison Ford and the late great Raul Julia. He steals the film for me with his quiet performance.
Yeah, I love this movie, but having watched it with a bunch of lawyers, I am aware the legal aspects of it are all pretty nonsensical.
one of my FAVORITES! i think leonardo dicaprio was being considered for the role of aaron, but imo this twist could not have been done with a super well known actor as aaron
Man...did any of you see that coming!?
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Be safe out there and enjoy the day!
Oh man, I did not. Saw it years ago. It holds up.
At the time, nope! Now you see why he got picked for American History X.
Absolutely not!
Another good court film is Rainmaker starring Matt Damon
Yes I did,only because I read the book 🤣
To your question at around 21:00 -- no, this stuff would not happen in a real courtroom. You don't, for example, just call someone to the witness stand without any prep, or without there first being a deposition.
FINALLY! You just got a new Patreon member :D I think I requested this movie when you reacted to American History X, and have ben waiting for it since then, (for like a year now) :D
Edward Norton was 100% robbed of an Oscar for this movie. Cuba getting Jr. Was good in Jerry Maguire but Edward Norton was freaking phenomenal in this.
And dude your face when he said killer. But because of the "how the fuck should I know?" was gold. You intently in that moment.
I recommend "Pride and Glory", also with Edward Norton. A great movie, that doesn't get much attention. At least I've not seen any comments about it. Very intense movie.
Ed Norton is a top notch actor, period.
This is one of my favorite movies 🎬! Thanks for this video!
Love this movie, love your channel and reactions. Keep it up bro
Appreciate you Adam! You the homie
If anyone is wondering he did win a golden glob reward for this role. He won best supporting actor.
a great movie. edward norton did a fantastic job playing the role
This used to be a Richard Gere movie. Now it’s an Edward Norton movie and you have never seen Richard Gere’s face before. Crazy how times change.
Just checking in brethren lol. Love your videos, bell is on and I still absolutely love the channel. Much love and respect, good vibes your way bro 😎
‘Frailty’ w/Matthew McConaughey is a film I’d put up there with Talented Mr Ripley, and check out The Clovehitch Killer for a different kind of sinister villain