Silence of the Lambs: Review By Daveactor7

Is this film scary? Is it actually as good as people say it is? I am here to tell you right now that this film definitely answers those two questions with a strong solid yes. The second film in which we see the infamous cannibal, Hannibal Lecter, played by the masterful Anthony Hopkins who is just too perfect for this role, but the first to perfect it. Hopkin's tone of voice, his bodily behavior, his cold stare-this is what I expected Hannibal Lecter to look like. Actor Brian Cox did a well job playing Lecter in the film "Manhunter", but he could not embody the character in the way Hopkins did. Involving the magnificent direction under Jonathan Demme ("Philadelphia" "Rachel getting married"), he is a director who really helps to expose each character. In each of his films he does this expertly. He also understands the severity of each scene and he deciphers them so well that he makes sure that when the film takes off, it never reaches the ground again.

Warning Spoilers do follow:

FBI academy student Clarice Starling, played by the great Jodie Foster, is brought into a case about a notorious psychopathic serial killer by the nickname "Buffalo Bill" because he skins his victims. She seeks help from yet another serial killer, who unlike Bill, has a brilliant mind. Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is already imprisoned for his killings. The chemistry between Foster and Hopkins is just mind boggling and undying, from his smell and description of her makeup, his horrific descriptions of what he does to his victims, to the final scene in which they chat over the phone, days after his escape, pursuing his next victim. Those conversations in which Starling and Lecter have are perhaps the best aspect from the story. How he uses his intelligent and murderous mind to reveal who Buffalo Bill really is and why he kills, the exposure of Clarice;s background, the paintings Lecter make, perceiving his mood and take on the world.

In this film, we also dive deep into the realms of a killer. Unlike other films with good cops and bad guys, here we actually are shown the mind of killer through each scene. The strange doings of Buffalo Bill, how he dresses himself up as a woman, killing victims that actually are women. Lecter, on his take on humanity.

My favorite scene? When Lecter escapes. The editing here of course is meant to build up the suspense, however here we are also shown the genre of horror in a film mainly focused on mystery. Hopkins portraying the escape of his character, everything in this scene was just perfect. The part in which one of the guards Lecter attacked is in the ambulance is actually Lecter, wearing his bloodied unrecognizable face. Truly gruesome, but at the same time ingenious. That is what is also loved about this film, it pushes you past the gruesome details and shows you the brilliance behind it.

Being on the screen for just 16 minutes in total, Hopkins makes sure to deliver his part of the chemistry between the two and he delivers an overall impact on the film itself. He was much deserving of his oscar for best actor indeed. Foster's portrayal of Starling also merited an oscar for best actress. I'd also have to credit the masterful screenplay here, having been written by screenwriter Ted Tally, who also won his oscar here. He makes sure the exchange of dialogue between the two characters is strong and purposeful, he establishes it with the usage of philosophy, the build up of each character, and the overall appreciation of all of these characters, even that of Lecter. I also loved how the dark core of the film was shown literally in each shot and figuratively through the dialogue.

This is the best film out of all the others in which include Hopkins reprising his role as Lecter, and it stands alone as a grand film achievement.

This is a film definitely worth your time and one of the best films of the 90s.

A review by daveactor7