Review by Bindi Lavelle
Jonathan Demme takes a welcome step away from the likes of Married to the Mob into the realm of Thomas Harris' most loved serial killer, Hannibal Lector.
The first adaption of Harris' work follows the second book, however it is incidental to this multi-award winning film in which Anthony Hopkins brings to life one of horror's most dear villains: Hannibal Lector.
We see the film's events through the eyes of Clarice Starling, a student at the FBI academy, who is asked by BLAH the head of criminal profiling to interview the notorious serial killer. Hannibal “the cannibal” Lector. This task evolves into Lector, a former psychologist teaching Starling how to profile. This leads to Starling assisting the investigation into a serial killer known only as Buffalo Bill.
Anthony Hopkins' performance is the clear stand out of this film, rivaled only by Jody Foster in the role she partitioned for, as an equally vulnerable and strong leading lady. The film won all 5 major awards at the 1992 Academy Awards: insert list and it is easy to see why, Jonathan Demme created a dark and unsettling atmosphere with the aid of an amazing cast.
Silence of the Lambs is a masterpiece of suspense; chilling the viewer with its bold mix of psychological thrills and a taste of graphic violence, this film proves to be actually worth the hype.
If you have yet to see this film, drop everything and do it now, you can thank me later.
10/10