Review of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) by Don H — 28 Jul 2018

Review I wrote for a school assignment, which got an A.

Summery:

Jodie Foster plays Clarice Starling in this chilling, Best Picture winning film directed by Jonathan Demme. Clarice is an FBI trainee who has been assigned to help solve the Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) murders. Bill has been capturing unsuspecting female, keeping them captive, killing them, and skinning them. Clarice wants to get some psychological insight in to the murders, so she seeks the help of psychologist/cannibalistic-serial-killer, Hannibal Lector, played famously by Anthony Hopkins. The conversations between Clarice and Lector are among some of the most iconic in American film history.

Give a brief summary of the relevant theory or mental disorder being portrayed, a description of the character with the disorder and the symptoms he/she exhibits for that disorder:

The obvious mental disorder, besides the cannibalism, if that applies, is psychopathic. A psychopath is someone who often exhibits abnormal or violent behavior. This describes Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill quite well. Both psychopaths, but Bill's violence is based on the fact that he wants to become a woman, while Lector seemingly has no reason other than he enjoys eating people.

. Discuss how the disorder or theory is portrayed in the movie. Was the portrayal accurate or was it distorted by "Hollywood"? Explain in detail and provide examples from the movie. ? Discuss any inaccuracies and misconceptions perpetrated of the disorder in the movie. If the disorder was misrepresented explain how this could be misleading to a typical movie-goer.

All Hollywood films exaggerate things to an extent. Most psychopaths do not skin people or eat people, but I think you would have to describe any individual engaging in such acts as a psychopath.

Analyze the emotional impact this film can have on a viewer. Did you have an.

Emotional reaction to the film, why or why not?

This film can bring upon many odd emotions for a viewer. There is great intrigue in the story. You get wrapped up in it. Each of the three main characters are very intriguing. Clarice, because of her past, and what her purpose is in the film, which is to combat great evil. She is one of the better written protagonists in film history. You feel interested in her throughout. I also felt strange emotions in regards to Lector, who unbelievably, you kind find yourself rooting for, and sort of liking at times. I think that is attributed both to Hopkins legendary portrayal, and how excellent his character was written. In regards to Bill, he is the true, previse enemy of the film, whom you feel nothing be negative feelings toward.

. Discuss the psychological importance of this film. Why is this an important film.

For others to watch?

You could argue that the scenes between Foster and Hopkins demonstrate some sort of sick therapy sessions. He grills her, desires to learn more about her, and brings a lot out about her. She reveals a traumatic experience from her childhood to him---when she witnessed lambs being slaughtered. And with Buffalo Bill, we see how strong desires take us over. Of course, most transgendered folks are nothing like Bill, but if you desire to be something so bad, no matter it is, and you all suffer from obsessive behavior, and psychopathy, then you could become a very dangerous individual. Another interesting aspect, is Bill's little dog. The man is a monster, but he loves the little dog, and becomes very nervous when he feels the dog is in danger. The film is important to watch not only from a psychologic intrigue perspective, but because it is such an important film in American movie history. It is one of the central films that has been referred to numerous times. The therapy scenes between Foster and Hopkins need to be examined by viewers, and I would say could even be used by teachers of psychology. It is also just a fun movie to watch.

Give your personal review on the film in an attempt to persuade next year's.

Students to watch or not watch.

This is a great movie. It never ceases to be interesting. You will love the acting of Foster, Hopkins and Levine. And you will be extremely intrigued by Hannibal Lector, which may even lead you to seek out many of the spin-off films and series' for this iconic character. It is also just a good, old fashioned murder mystery, and who doesn't love those?

Many people may be turned off by some of the aspects of the film. The Bill character may come off as over the top, perverse, and even offensive, but I think the character is appropriate for the story. Lector may also turn some viewers off, but I think he is more likely to intrigue the viewer.