"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti."
If you so happen to be drinking a glass of chianti (or anything for that matter) when starting The Silence of the Lambs, you might want to think again. I have seen so many movies during my lifetime. I have seen enough crime thrillers with blood, guts, and then some so that I would be accustomed to anything that any filmmaker would throw at me. This 1991 film, that gave its credence to crime procedurals, still unnerves me every time I watch the movie. Anthony Hopkins delivers the creepiest, most villainous performance out of anyone that has ever been on screen...seriously. I even have goosebumps just writing these words. His presence is only known for about sixteen minutes, but his shadow exists even if his actual character is not around. The way Hopkins uses his voice, sounding like Katherine Hepburn trying to creep someone out, is unnatural and chilling. I also found the way he uses Jodie Foster's life story for some kind of twisted, internal pleasure incredibly chilling. When he escaped his confines, I felt very unsettled. I knew bad things were going to happen. It goes to show that horror/psychological thrillers do not need to rely on blood, guts, and jump scares for its scares. A character-driven story with a splash or two of realism can do the trick. I just hoped that no mass murderer was in hiding waiting to devour me. There is still plenty of violence, but only for the sake of moving the story along.
The movie was based on a very popular Thomas Harris novel. Gene Hackman originally had the rights and was going to direct and star as FBI Agent Jack Crawford, but left the project because he felt the story/themes were too gruesome. Jonathan Demme got the chance to direct the film after reading the novel. To this day, this is Demme's best film. He made some bold, fascinating choices in depicting the story. Demme and his screenwriters shocked the world in their depiction of serial killers. They used to be ugly, dumb brutes that only wore masks. Making the decision to have this man be of high intelligence with impeccable manners and a scary sense of reading people while being portrayed by an actor of excellent stature was something no one expected. On top of that, Hopkins won a well-deserved Academy Award. I shudder just thinking about when we see him for the first time. The audience is immediately given the information he is much, much more than the usual serial killer. In addition to the performances and direction, one can admit this is a well-made thriller production-wise. The cinematography and Howard Shore's musical cues stood out to me.
Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) is a psychopath who kidnaps his victims and skins them alive. He also dresses as a woman because he feels like an entire new person like that. The agent in charge of finding this murderer, Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) believes "it takes one to know one." He sent people to mass murderer already behind bars, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). Lecter either toys with them or sends them away. Crawford gets the idea to send a young, inexperienced female trainee, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). Lecter is known for eating his victims and is a highly intelligent person who is able to read people well. He will only help with the case if Clarice gives him information about her own life...no matter how private. This twisted relationship allows Clarice to confront her own demons...and an evil presence that is beyond evil.
I can gush about Hopkins's performance when talking about film in general. In a world where there are many iconic, amazing villains, Hopkins's Hannibal Lecter rises to the top. No one expected this performance. He does outshine Jodie Foster's strong performance. Foster is the film's heart. Her character is strong-willed and compliments Hopkins. They did not share many scenes together, but when they do share scenes, expect an acting powerhouse. A normal person would melt under Lecter's gaze, but Clarice surely did not. The supporting cast also did a good job (with Levine's Buffalo Bill getting some good moments).
The Silence of the Lambs is one of those rare films that won the top 5 Oscars (Picture, Actor, Actress. Director, Screenplay(Adapted)). It is deserving of that feat. The screenplay and taut direction are just some of the amazing things in addition to Hopkins's and Foster's respective performances. Not a straight horror film, but I went through emotions ranging from unsettled to terrified. Some scenes were flat out gruesome. Demme's film is considered a modern masterpiece. I think we can all agree there, especially after that ending!
My Grade: A+
If you so happen to be drinking a glass of chianti (or anything for that matter) when starting The Silence of the Lambs, you might want to think again. I have seen so many movies during my lifetime. I have seen enough crime thrillers with blood, guts, and then some so that I would be accustomed to anything that any filmmaker would throw at me. This 1991 film, that gave its credence to crime procedurals, still unnerves me every time I watch the movie. Anthony Hopkins delivers the creepiest, most villainous performance out of anyone that has ever been on screen...seriously. I even have goosebumps just writing these words. His presence is only known for about sixteen minutes, but his shadow exists even if his actual character is not around. The way Hopkins uses his voice, sounding like Katherine Hepburn trying to creep someone out, is unnatural and chilling. I also found the way he uses Jodie Foster's life story for some kind of twisted, internal pleasure incredibly chilling. When he escaped his confines, I felt very unsettled. I knew bad things were going to happen. It goes to show that horror/psychological thrillers do not need to rely on blood, guts, and jump scares for its scares. A character-driven story with a splash or two of realism can do the trick. I just hoped that no mass murderer was in hiding waiting to devour me. There is still plenty of violence, but only for the sake of moving the story along.
The movie was based on a very popular Thomas Harris novel. Gene Hackman originally had the rights and was going to direct and star as FBI Agent Jack Crawford, but left the project because he felt the story/themes were too gruesome. Jonathan Demme got the chance to direct the film after reading the novel. To this day, this is Demme's best film. He made some bold, fascinating choices in depicting the story. Demme and his screenwriters shocked the world in their depiction of serial killers. They used to be ugly, dumb brutes that only wore masks. Making the decision to have this man be of high intelligence with impeccable manners and a scary sense of reading people while being portrayed by an actor of excellent stature was something no one expected. On top of that, Hopkins won a well-deserved Academy Award. I shudder just thinking about when we see him for the first time. The audience is immediately given the information he is much, much more than the usual serial killer. In addition to the performances and direction, one can admit this is a well-made thriller production-wise. The cinematography and Howard Shore's musical cues stood out to me.
Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) is a psychopath who kidnaps his victims and skins them alive. He also dresses as a woman because he feels like an entire new person like that. The agent in charge of finding this murderer, Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) believes "it takes one to know one." He sent people to mass murderer already behind bars, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). Lecter either toys with them or sends them away. Crawford gets the idea to send a young, inexperienced female trainee, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). Lecter is known for eating his victims and is a highly intelligent person who is able to read people well. He will only help with the case if Clarice gives him information about her own life...no matter how private. This twisted relationship allows Clarice to confront her own demons...and an evil presence that is beyond evil.
I can gush about Hopkins's performance when talking about film in general. In a world where there are many iconic, amazing villains, Hopkins's Hannibal Lecter rises to the top. No one expected this performance. He does outshine Jodie Foster's strong performance. Foster is the film's heart. Her character is strong-willed and compliments Hopkins. They did not share many scenes together, but when they do share scenes, expect an acting powerhouse. A normal person would melt under Lecter's gaze, but Clarice surely did not. The supporting cast also did a good job (with Levine's Buffalo Bill getting some good moments).
The Silence of the Lambs is one of those rare films that won the top 5 Oscars (Picture, Actor, Actress. Director, Screenplay(Adapted)). It is deserving of that feat. The screenplay and taut direction are just some of the amazing things in addition to Hopkins's and Foster's respective performances. Not a straight horror film, but I went through emotions ranging from unsettled to terrified. Some scenes were flat out gruesome. Demme's film is considered a modern masterpiece. I think we can all agree there, especially after that ending!
My Grade: A+