ED, you are so perfect!

Birdie 2022-04-20 09:01:20

As far as the script is concerned, this film is only second-rate, both from a commercial point of view and from an enlightening point of view.
This is pretty pertinent. After all, many plots cannot stand scrutiny, and the explanations in those online reviews are always a bit far-fetched. Of course, in fact, if the director is ambitious enough, then this film can become a classic with a little more attention to detail. It is a pity that the details are not in place, and too little foreshadowing is done. At the end of the big reversal, although it had the effect of shocking the audience, it was only a small surprise. ——This is inevitable regardless of whether you have guessed the ending.
So let's talk about this "inevitability".
Yes, it's Norton!
In 1996, Norton, 27, starred in this film, playing a 19-year-old juvenile murderer. But behind Aaron's shy and somewhat shy smile, you will really believe this childish child, he is really just an ignorant teenager. Even if it is the so-called Roy, that kind of wildness and brutality that burst out in an instant, you will still think that this is just a teenager who has gone to extremes.
However, this contrast in appearance and the temperament emanating from Norton's eyes are the essence of his acting skills.
The first time I had an impression of Norton was when it came to the Hulk. I was attracted by his acting skills and eyes (forgot to mention, I have no resistance to those very clear eyes), and then I suddenly discovered that the jack in the fight club, the brilliant jack, was also Norton! After that, his films have also seen the veil, the sun and the magician.
I remember a sentence in his evaluation that said, "No matter what role, he can always switch freely and hide himself."
Yes, no matter what the role, whether it is the main or supporting role, you can find a different Norton. However, all characters can attract your attention, and this attraction, to a greater extent, comes from Norton's temperament. And what I want to say is the source of this temperament - the eyes.
No matter which role it is, you can see that Norton's eyes are clear, with a little childishness, perhaps a little evil or naive. Speaking of the calmness and composure in his behavior, it is in sharp contrast to this childishness, so you suddenly exclaimed: This person's temperament has reached a level.
OK, that's a bit of a stretch. Closer to home.

The reason why many people exclaimed Norton's acting skills in this film is not only because Norton shines in it as a supporting role, but also because this is Norton's first famous work. No one believed that such superb acting skills came from a fledgling and unknown person. But Norton did it, watch the whole film, and you won't even remember, apart from Norton, there are any special highlights.
Of course, I think this success is due precisely to his age of 27.
As a top student at Yale University, when he was 27 years old, he not only had a profound cultural accomplishment, but also worked or studied in Japan, China and other countries, and engaged in many occupations. Finally, because of his passion for acting, he worked hard on Broadway alone. Therefore, even at the age of 27, Norton still has a clean smile like a child on his face, but his heart has actually been polished. Otherwise, if anyone with talent can really be at the age of 19 To play the role of Allen well, it is estimated that it is a bit of a fantasy (of course, except for the real "Allen-style" teenagers).

A lot of people like to compare this film to fight club, but I don't think it's necessary. The success of the fight club is not only the outstanding performance of the actors, but also the best-selling novels, the equally brilliant acting skills of Pitt and the ingenuity of David Fincher, so the fight club can make every audience hooked. But first-level fear is not. Except for Norton, the script cannot withstand strict scrutiny, the scene settings are unreasonable, and the soundtrack is mediocre. Therefore, even if Norton has amazing acting talent, he cannot turn the tide.
In terms of acting skills alone, I personally think that Norton is just beginning to shine in this film - after all, he is a newcomer and a supporting role. In the fight club, Norton, who has experience, has been given full play space. So, all quite perfect!

The English name of the film is primary fear, and it is translated into first-level fear in Chinese...I. . . Who translated it! !
The original meaning of primary is "primary, instinctive", and for the understanding of primary fear, you can only clamor at the end of Norton to the departing lawyer, when he said, "Actually, there was never Alan", " It's love that hurts, and you're in love with Alan", and you can really understand why it was the original fear.
So, in fact, I think the director's original intention is to express a kind of reflection, that is, a reflection on the "good or evil" that we have become accustomed to. But as mentioned above, the details were not handled properly, and the director's intention was obviously weakened. Otherwise, this film, even without the ingenuity of David Fincher, may not be able to lose to the fight club based on the excellent script, the thought-provoking ending reflection and Norton's excellent performance.
Therefore, four stars are given to Norton, otherwise, for such a plot, I would give three stars at most.

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Extended Reading

Primal Fear quotes

  • [last lines]

    [while in a holding cell in the back of the courthouse]

    Roy: Mr. Vail?

    Martin Vail: Yeah?

    Roy: [stammering] Will you t-tell Miss Venable I'm sorry? Tell her I hope her neck is okay.

    Martin Vail: Yeah... I will.

    [begins walking away, then turns back]

    Martin Vail: Wait... What did you just say? What? You told me just a few minutes ago that you didn't remember. You blacked out. You "lost time" yet again. So, how do you know about her neck?

    Roy: [slow clapping sardonically; sneers] Well... good for you, Marty. I was going to let it go at that. You was looking so happy just now. I was thinking, hmmm God. But to tell you the truth, I'm glad you figured it out, because I have been dying to tell you. I just didn't know who you'd wanna hear it from, you know? Aaron or Roy... or Roy or Aaron. Well, I'll let you in on a little secret. A sort of a client-attorney-privilege type of a secret, you know what I mean? It don't matter who you hear it from. It's the same story.

    [stammering as Aaron]

    Roy: [in a southern accent] I j-j-just... had to kill Linda, Mr. Vail.

    [normal voice as Roy]

    Roy: That cunt just got what she deserved. But... cutting up that son of a bitch Rushman? That was just a fucking work of art.

    Martin Vail: You're good. You are really good.

    Roy: Yeah. I did get caught, though, didn't I?

    Martin Vail: So there never... there never was a Roy?

    Roy: Jesus Christ, Marty. If that's what you think, I am disappointed in you, I don't mind telling you. There never was an Aaron... counselor! Come on, Marty! I thought you had it figured, there at the end. The way you put me on the stand like that? That was fucking brilliant, Marty! And that whole thing like "act-like-a-man"? Jesus, I knew exactly what you wanted from me. It was like we were dancing, Marty!

    Martin Vail: Guard!

    Roy: [as Vail walks away] Oh come on, don't be like that, Marty. We did it, man. We fucking did it! We're a great team, you and me. You think I could've done this without you? You're just feeling a little angry here, because you started to care about old Aaron, I can understand that, but... you know, love hurts, Marty. What can I say? Hey, I'm just kidding, bud! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! What else was I supposed to do? Hey, you're gonna thank me down the road, because this is gonna toughen you right up, Martin Vail! You hear me? That's a promise!

  • 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?