Review of Manhunter (1986) by Jim M — 01 Aug 2009

The FBI has called Will Graham out of retirment. Two families have been murdered in two months by a man the media dub "The Tooth Fary". Will Graham has a gift, he can think and feel as the men he hunts do but this is a gift which threatens his sanity...

Much better then the remake (Red Dragon) this is the first movie to feature Hannibal Lecter, though it is best to view it as seperate from Anthony Hopkins series of films. Where as Red Dragon shows us Graham, the Killer, and Lecter, Manhunter focuses almost solely on Graham. Future CSI'er William Petersen gives an intense performance as Graham a sane family man who hunts/empathizes with insane outcasts. His performance is subtle, yet more then a little disturbing when he begins empathizing with his prey. Tom Noonan plays the killer, not to knock Ralph Fiennes who's work was good, but Noonan is better, creepier. Finally Brian Cox portrayal of Hannibal Lector holds up against Hopkins, though admittidly Lecter is regulated to about 3 scenes. Directed by Michael Mann (personal fav) who builds his story masterfully. The confrontation between Petersen and Noonan, set to Iron Butterfly's In A Garda Divada is great. Defeintly a must see.