THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
A film review by Anton Panagos
Copyright 1991 Anton Panagos
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme creates a horrifying and gruesome story of two serial killers. One is an imprisoned and demented psychiatrist, Hannibal "the cannibal" Lecter and the other is a serial killer on the loose, Buffalo Bill.
Lecter is visited in his maximum-security cell by a young FBI agent-in-training, Clarisse (played by Jodie Foster). Clarisse had been sent by her boss and trainer (played by Scott Glenn). Lecter was jailed for committing heinous crimes including cannibalism, hence the nickname. Clarisse's objective is to retrieve information from a psychopath like Lecter in order catch Buffalo Bill. Lecter is helpful, at first. But Clarisse is dealing with a highly intelligent and clever criminal.
On the other hand, Buffalo Bill is a serial killer who skins his victims. He kidnaps the daughter of a senator in West Virginia. The minute the news hits the FBI agency in Washington,DC, Clarisse offers a "vacation" plan to Lecter as a supposed bribe. The chase for Buffalo Bill goes on from here. Meanwhile problems occur with Lecter after he is transferred to a temporary cell ordered by his officer-in-charge.
There are some explicit scenes of victims and of extreme violence in this film. The film lets us look into the mind of a serial killer. There are many surprises and a heart-pounding ending in this well-executed and mind-numbing movie. The cinematography and music help set the dark mood. Anthony Hopkins performs Hannibal Lecter to the hilt. It is the best acting performance of 1991, so far. Hopkins should be a shoo-in for a nomination for next year's Oscar awards. Jodie Foster does a competent job as a FBI agent who learns very quickly how dangerous her job can be. Overall, "Silence of the Lambs" is definately one of the best thrillers in a few years.
Anton J. Panagos AT&T Bell Labs Naperville, IL.
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