Notable and notorious IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich recently put out a social media call for film critic peers to join a weekly survey to discuss movie topics, answer questions, and highlight their work.  Representing Every Movie Has a Lesson, I, along with over 60 other emerging and established film critics including some of my fellow Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle members, accepted the invitation to participate.  I'm honored by the opportunity, and I hope my responses are chosen each week.  

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: What is the greatest film debut of all time?

Coinciding with the highly regarded debut of Helena Howard in Madeline's Madeline, the topic of this week's survey was to name the best debut performance in history.  The catch was that it had to the actor or actresses first film credit.  Sorry, Citizen Kane cinephiles and Star Wars: The Force Awakens fans.  Orson Welles and Daisy Ridley had previous roles before their big breakouts.  There were many to choose from, but I was one of a group of participants to put my vote on Edward Norton and his Oscar-nominated supporting turn in Primal Fear.  See what I had to say below.  My silver medal vote would go to fellow rookie Oscar nominee earner Saoirse Ronan from Atonement.