Review of Manhunter (1986) by James C — 25 Jan 2011
Unimaginatively shot and peppered with half-hearted performances, this one makes me wonder whether anyone on the crew actually bothered to thumb through the book. Although I can see why Brian Cox's performance has garnered a loyal following, the insane genius from the books is nowhere to be found in this version of Lecter/Lecktor.
The far greater sin, though, is the conspicuous absence of the quietly intense, psychically tormented Dolarhyde, who stood out as a fully realized human being in the novel but floats through this sea of 80s cliches like a jellyfish, somehow coming across like that creepy guy on the bus instead of a deadly psychotic.
If you only watch one adaptation of Thomas Harris' first Lecter novel, make it Red Dragon.
This review of Manhunter (1986) was written by James C on 25 Jan 2011.
Manhunter has generally received positive reviews.
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