Primeval

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2002)

Martin Scorsese's fever dream about an reclusive Vietnam vet who drives the streets of New York in order to fuel his obsessive desire of ridding both the city and himself of demons has its startling moments (especially the graphically violent climax) and bravura performances from Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel; but it is also too loose in spots and some of the supporting actors are either blank (Cybill Shepherd) or wasted (Albert Brooks). Nevertheless, Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader have zeroed in precisely on the urban angst that infects many and causes some to evolve their moral and religious beliefs into perceived righteous vengeance; the filmmakers create a climate of fear both seductively palpable and dangerous. Even though some of the politics might seem dated, the primeval impulses will always be relevant and these impulses follow Scorsese onward, from `The King Of Comedy' to `After Hours' all the way through to `Bringing Out The Dead'. A very bold--if flawed--piece of cinematic art. The clever, jarring jazz score is the last by the great Bernard Herrmann.