THE PLOT THUS FAR

Based on Thomas Harris's novel, this terrifying film by Jonathan Demme really only contains a couple of genuinely shocking moments (one involving an autopsy, the other a prison break). The rest of the film is a splatter-free visual and psychological descent into the hell of madness, redeemed astonishingly by an unlikely connection between a monster and a haunted young woman. Anthony Hopkins is extraordinary as the cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, virtually entombed in a subterranean prison for the criminally insane. At the behest of the FBI, agent-in-training Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) approaches Lecter, requesting his insights into the identity and methods of a serial killer named Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). In exchange, Lecter demands the right to penetrate Starling's most painful memories, creating a bizarre but palpable intimacy that liberates them both under separate but equally horrific circumstances. Demme, a filmmaker with a uniquely populist vision (Melvin and Howard, Something Wild), also spent his early years making pulp for Roger Corman (Caged Heat), and he hasn't forgotten the significance of tone, atmosphere, and the unsettling nature of a crudely effective close-up. Much of the film, in fact, consists of actors staring straight into the camera (usually from Clarice's point of view), making every bridge between one set of eyes to another seem terribly dangerous.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Silence of the Lambs” was one of the first R rated films that I ever saw at a movie theater. It was also the first real villain that I ever saw onscreen. Sure, I had seen Darth Vader, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and even Michael Myers before that, but it didn’t compare to this seemingly new threat. Dr. Hannibal Lecter was a patient, calculating monster that would tore into its prey like it were nothing. Lecter represented the type of villain who would’ve filleted James Bond, if they ever crossed paths.

The flick opens on Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she trains at the FBI Academy at Quantico. It isn’t long before Clarice is brought before Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) on what could possible be her first case as a full fledged FBI agent. Crawford has come with a plan to enlist Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s aid in solving the Buffalo Bill murders. He figures that if he sends Agent Starling to interview Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) than he would be willing to help with the case. But, of course…everything sounds better in theory.

Clarice and Dr. Lecter play back and forth with each other, as Lecter seems more intrigued by Clarice’s past than the case. The film progresses between Crawford and Starling’s quest to find Buffalo Bill and Starling’s little sessions with Lecter. Over time, Clarice becomes more trusting of Lecter and grows to respect him. This all changes with Lecter’s bloody escape from federal custody in Memphis. With Lecter gone, Starling is left on her own to find Buffalo Bill.

The problem is that Clarice keeps following a lead that takes her to the house of the reclusive Jame Gumb (Ted Levine). Thus, we come to the final act and my time to talk. Demme worked wonders with Thomas Harris’s second novel about Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Though, I still like “Manhunter” there has always been a certain charm to “The Silence of the Lambs” that no other Lecter flick has managed to obtain. It’s classic gothic horror with a monster that is more charming than your average leading man. That charm also is a point of debate with most critics, as they feel that the flick glamorizes Lecter as being a sort of anti-hero.

Most of the people I know can only think of the pit scenes when referencing this flick. I’ve had to perfect an impression of Buffalo Bill for a certain person, as the only means of entertaining them. This flick has had quite the shelf life and I feel as though it’s one of the few flicks that absolutely deserved its Best Picture Oscar. Sure, “JFK” was great…but, “The Silence of the Lambs” was pitch perfect. A perfect film from a director who has failed to set the world on fire the way he did in 1991.

 

The Blu-Ray sports amazing A/V Quality for such a beautifully shot film. There aren't any HD exclusive special features, but what you do get is an amazing looking release. Did I mention the A/V Quality enough? Well, I need to...since it's the only difference between this and the multiple DVD releases. Still, if you can find it on the cheap, I'd recommend picking it up. Sometimes, A/V Quality can't beat that high MSRP. 

 

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!