An FBI trainee seeks advice from a brilliant, psychopathic prisoner to catch a killer...
A perfectly executed dramatic thriller that sits in a class all by itself....
The first of Thomas Harris's Hannibal novels to be adapted for the screen, only to be followed some years later with some very lackluster and non-intriguing follow-ups, despite how old the film is it still remains one of the most effective chillers of modern times. One of the best movies of the 90's and one of the few thrillers that can match up with Alfred Hitckcock's movies. All in all, the film manages some effectively disturbing scenes that make it a not altogether pleasant viewing experience.
The psychological path of Hannibal is hard to trace. He is so odd a mixture of intelligence, cruelty, insanity, grace and charisma. In the depth, fledgling FBI trainee Clarice is no match of him. She is still naive yet very ambitious. On the trail of the serial killer Buffalo Bill, she's sent to interview him, a psychiatrist-turned-cannibal. Hannibal is willing to provide clues to finding the killer but only in return for personal information about Clarice herself. He calls it Quid Pro Quo. In those mind games, the two dance backward and forward between cannibal and FBI agent, mentor and student, psychiatrist and patient, father and daughter.
The Silence of the Lambs, is a powerful example of how great a movie can be when superb writers, directors, actors, and others work at the top of their craft. It's quite interesting the intensity that comes from the two main characters Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster Both would do a tremendous job in their portrayals of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling. Hopkins has one of the most billiant performances, so charming and yet so demented. And Jodie Foster expresses a character that is so easily relatable. And to top it off Hopkins' screen time in the entire film was just over 16 minutes. Imagine that it takes only 16 minutes and you've done your job!
The Silence of the Lambs is one of those types of films that one would call a sleeper. When first released it was anticipated to have a high success mark, unfortunately it was so low that it was almost immediately distributed to movie rental companies rather than to theaters. Roger Ebert would say the "terrifying qualities" of Hannibal Lecter, and has since recognised the film as a "horror masterpiece," alongside such classics as Nosferatu, Psycho, and Halloween."
The film would, however, go on to win the top five Academy Awards in that year: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Screenplay. To date, it is the third and most recent winner of this grand achievement.
To this day, I still get chillls after watching this film. it really plays with your mind, you will definitely think outside of the box. Despite being scared it is still an excellent mystery and suspense film. This is a film that will wrap itself around you and you will likely never be able to shake some of the key elements you have seen in this amazing masterpiece.
*Interesting Fact: Michelle Pfeiffer was initially offered the role of Clarice Starling, but turned it down. She has said about her rejection of the part, "that was a difficult decision, but I got nervous about the subject matter." According to Jonathan Demme (Director), there were 300 applicants for the role of Clarice Starling.
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