Review of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) by Scott R — 22 Feb 2018
1991 was a great year. The Silence Of The Lambs a fantastic taut thriller based on the writing of novelist Thomas Harris.
It stars a stellar cast with casting including Anthony Hopkins as serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter who ate his victims!
Jodie Foster plays FBI investigator Clarice Starling who attempts to gain some kind of trust from Lecter in order to solve the identity of another serial killer, this one on the loose titled 'Buffalo Bill. A nice character who skins his victims!
On first sight Hopkins has modelled his interpretation of Lecter on an earlier, also chilling one. Brian Cox who played the character five years or so previously in Manhunter.
Manhunter was a great film. The Silence Of The Lambs simply electric. The budget seems higher (even though it was slightly lower) and the cast both principal and supporting excellent.
Hopkins and Foster deliver some excellent verbal interchange including Hopkins as Lecter "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti".
The hunt for Buffalo Bill forms the main backbone of the screenplay but other strands develop.
One of the best thrillers I have seen. A View shared by the award committees it seems. The film won five major Oscars including Best Picture.
The script never descends to the slasher/Saw like excesses that can sometimes envelop other films of the genre. The characters are intellectual yet some are still psychotic!
The film deserves first, second and third viewings.
This review of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) was written by Scott R on 22 Feb 2018.
The Silence of the Lambs has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
