Silence of the Lambs (A or 4/4 stars)
'The Silence of the Lambs' (directed by Jonathan Demme, & based on a popular novel) opens by introducing us to young FBI cadet Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), an intelligent student who's chosen by Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn), head of the FBI's Behavioral Science Squad, to help find a missing woman to save her from a deranged serial killer called Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), a transvestite who skins his female victims after murdering them {ew}. Crawford wants Clarice to approach the infamous, manipulative, and incarcerated Dr. Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), & behest him to provide a profile of Buffalo Bill. Little does either of them know the impact that they'll have on each other during the course of the film.
See, Crawford thinks that Clarice can gain better insight into the twisted mind of Buffalo Bill by talking to another psychopath in Hannibal (a once respected psychiatrist known for eating his victims). After their skittish initial meeting, Hannibal likes Clarice enough and offers Clarice a deal: for every vital piece of information that he shares about Buffalo Bill, Clarice must reveal one detail about her own past. So while Lecter is 'helping' Clarice get closer to Buffalo Bill's whereabouts, he is also taping into her own psyche. Clarice is one strong woman. But Hannibal Lecter is evil incarnate; and may be damaging her to his delight. What he doesn't realize is that she may be doing the same thing to him – a battle of wits. Thrills, chills, & scares ensue.
Not only is 'The Silence of the Lambs' wonderfully written, directed, & acted ... but it's one scary-as-hell movie; sure to be remembered decades from now as one of the pivotal films of its genre. Character-wise, there is simply no one else like Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter. And every scene he is in rivets you to the screen. Cinematically, the films looks great (Tak Fujimoto's cinematographer eye), the suspense that's built throughout is palpable, & when it's all over - you'll be terrified to walk outside to your car. That's when you know a good movie has done its job.
Brian Cox was stellar as Hannibal in 1986's Manhunter. But Hopkins takes the role to a whole other level. It is rare when a true villain is as charismatic as he is horrifying. And it's the kind of role that Hopkins will always be remembered for; no matter how excellent he is elsewhere. If I were to find one word that sums up Hopkins in this movie, it is 'chilling'. From the moment we 1st lay eyes on him, he gets under our skin, & makes us shy our face away from the screen; for fear that his looks & words will pierce into our own souls. He's a monster. And STILL, we realize what a suave & brilliant man he is amid his cruelty. One of my favorite lines in movie history is included in this film, as said by Lecter: "I ate his liver with some fava beans & a nice chianti ... {sluuuuurp}!". I also like how Hannibal enjoys Clarice; respecting her ambition with respect to the Buffalo Bill case. He senses a kindred spirit in her (something akin to father/daughter, mentor/student).
Jodie Foster's performance is another huge asset to the success of this film. Lecter is incredible, but he'd have quite less an impact without Clarice Starling on the other side of his glass partition. Not only does Clarice represent a strong female in their male-centric film, but the character also stands up for victimized women. Clarice Starling is a sort of hero, really. Now, Foster is as brilliant as Lecter is; she's just a quieter character; keeping many things inside - but we know they're there. She's also our guide through the madness. We hide behind her small shoulders for most of the film. More than that, Foster creates a multidimensional human being in Clarice. I always say, 'do I know someone in my life like Clarice? Have I seen her before? Do I know why she's doing/saying that? Do I understand why she's alternately scared by, yet fascinated by Hannibal? Do I understand where she's at in life - based on her sad past? Do I 'get' her?" etc. -- and I did.
'The Silence of the Lambs' contains some unforgettable scenes/sequences. The moment when Clarice walks down the hallway to meet Hannibal for the 1st time is scintillating (there's a reddish glow about that reminds one of a descent into Hell). I loved watching Clarice's face crumble while Hannibal dissects her psyche. Her face takes up the entire screen, & we FEEL her every facial tick. There's a scene late in the game where Clarice must glide through the dark amid a sea of mannequins ... creepy. And who can ever forget the green screen/night vision scene where Clarice can't make-out where her subject is. So yeah, 'The Silence of the Lambs' is an astounding motion picture. And if you ever see it in the comfort of your own home, make sure the lights are on & your doors are locked.
See, Crawford thinks that Clarice can gain better insight into the twisted mind of Buffalo Bill by talking to another psychopath in Hannibal (a once respected psychiatrist known for eating his victims). After their skittish initial meeting, Hannibal likes Clarice enough and offers Clarice a deal: for every vital piece of information that he shares about Buffalo Bill, Clarice must reveal one detail about her own past. So while Lecter is 'helping' Clarice get closer to Buffalo Bill's whereabouts, he is also taping into her own psyche. Clarice is one strong woman. But Hannibal Lecter is evil incarnate; and may be damaging her to his delight. What he doesn't realize is that she may be doing the same thing to him – a battle of wits. Thrills, chills, & scares ensue.
Not only is 'The Silence of the Lambs' wonderfully written, directed, & acted ... but it's one scary-as-hell movie; sure to be remembered decades from now as one of the pivotal films of its genre. Character-wise, there is simply no one else like Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter. And every scene he is in rivets you to the screen. Cinematically, the films looks great (Tak Fujimoto's cinematographer eye), the suspense that's built throughout is palpable, & when it's all over - you'll be terrified to walk outside to your car. That's when you know a good movie has done its job.
Brian Cox was stellar as Hannibal in 1986's Manhunter. But Hopkins takes the role to a whole other level. It is rare when a true villain is as charismatic as he is horrifying. And it's the kind of role that Hopkins will always be remembered for; no matter how excellent he is elsewhere. If I were to find one word that sums up Hopkins in this movie, it is 'chilling'. From the moment we 1st lay eyes on him, he gets under our skin, & makes us shy our face away from the screen; for fear that his looks & words will pierce into our own souls. He's a monster. And STILL, we realize what a suave & brilliant man he is amid his cruelty. One of my favorite lines in movie history is included in this film, as said by Lecter: "I ate his liver with some fava beans & a nice chianti ... {sluuuuurp}!". I also like how Hannibal enjoys Clarice; respecting her ambition with respect to the Buffalo Bill case. He senses a kindred spirit in her (something akin to father/daughter, mentor/student).
Jodie Foster's performance is another huge asset to the success of this film. Lecter is incredible, but he'd have quite less an impact without Clarice Starling on the other side of his glass partition. Not only does Clarice represent a strong female in their male-centric film, but the character also stands up for victimized women. Clarice Starling is a sort of hero, really. Now, Foster is as brilliant as Lecter is; she's just a quieter character; keeping many things inside - but we know they're there. She's also our guide through the madness. We hide behind her small shoulders for most of the film. More than that, Foster creates a multidimensional human being in Clarice. I always say, 'do I know someone in my life like Clarice? Have I seen her before? Do I know why she's doing/saying that? Do I understand why she's alternately scared by, yet fascinated by Hannibal? Do I understand where she's at in life - based on her sad past? Do I 'get' her?" etc. -- and I did.
'The Silence of the Lambs' contains some unforgettable scenes/sequences. The moment when Clarice walks down the hallway to meet Hannibal for the 1st time is scintillating (there's a reddish glow about that reminds one of a descent into Hell). I loved watching Clarice's face crumble while Hannibal dissects her psyche. Her face takes up the entire screen, & we FEEL her every facial tick. There's a scene late in the game where Clarice must glide through the dark amid a sea of mannequins ... creepy. And who can ever forget the green screen/night vision scene where Clarice can't make-out where her subject is. So yeah, 'The Silence of the Lambs' is an astounding motion picture. And if you ever see it in the comfort of your own home, make sure the lights are on & your doors are locked.