Silence of the Lambs
The FBI enlist rookie agent Clarice Starling to interview jailed serial killer Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter in order to assist in discovering the identity of a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. Bill has recently kidnapped the daughter of a US Senator, and with time running out for her, will Lecter help Starling?
Direction
Absolutely stellar direction from Jonathan Demme, who is able to create a sense of unease through use of several techniques and filming locations.
The prison that Lecter is housed, has a claustrophobic feel to it at times – especially when shots of it are seen from above (when Chilton has Lecter on the vertical gurney). This and enclosed spaces like the prison corridor, the storage unit and even the makeshift prison near the end.
The frequent use of characters looking into the camera, and just off focus of the lens as they chat to one another (Starling & Lecter, Starling and Crawford etc), is one of Demme’s trademarks, and it works well here especially during some of the dialogue heavy moments.
Cast/Characters
Jodie Foster, who by 1991 was already an actress with over a decade of experience, plus an Oscar to her name. She shines as the rookie FBI agent assigned to interview Lecter, who gives back just as well as she takes.
Anthony Hopkins as Lecter gives a masterclass in performance. At no time throughout his brief on screen appearance does he ever warrant, sympathy. He is a known serial killer, who even kills on screen. Despite this, we still do – and that is due to Hopkins portrayal of him. He brings himself into the role, and is completely different tone/body language than the predecessor to the role Brian Cox in Manhunter, five years earlier.
Ted Levine and Scott Glen add their screen prowess to the film playing both the primary villain and the senior FBI agent respectively.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The language and events of the film, are quite graphic their imagery, with many unredeemable characters presented on film, such as Lecter himself, Bill and Miggs.
Lecter himself is a prime example of one of the first real ‘anti heroes’ – he is known to be one of the worst serial killers in history (and even gets a few more during the events of the film) but we still root for him?
This film is also responsible for some great ‘pop culture’ references such as Hannibal’s mask (pushed right up to his nose) and the line ‘it puts the lotion on the skin’.
It also does one of the best ‘misdirects’ in film history with the doorbell near the end, and does not feel cheaply done but due to the unease that Starling is going through at that point in time – the audience too is at unease.
Overall
With an amazing score by Howard Shore to boot, this was a clear favourite at the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, and acting for Foster and Hopkins.
This has aged extremely well, and has become what other thrillers have yearned to be.
5/5