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‘silence Of The Lambs' One Of The Best Movies With Anthony Hopkins
The best-selling novel by Thomas Harris of the same name was the inspiration for this movie, directed by Jonathan Demme. Hopkins plays the monster psychopathic serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter who is a lifer detained in a high security Baltimore jail for his monstrous offences; carving up nine people, cooking and consuming his favourite organs. Dr Lecter, prides himself on having once eaten the liver of a census taker with some fava beans and a nice glass of Chianti. Formerly an eminent psychiatrist, Dr Lecter is an smart, refined character, embodying wit, charm and supreme control, making his spasms of violence yet more shocking to the audience. A shocking well-designed, up to date suspense thriller where Hopkins gives a strong performance, opposite an evenly excellent Jodie Foster. It is a sinister film with the menacing background music helping to manufacture the aspect of tension in stages, hard to watch at times with its’ disturbing scenes, yet impossible to turn off and an ending that leaves many doors open. A contemporary classic. It is hard to believe Hopkins only has a aggregate of 16 minutes screen-shot time in this picture but that is what Hopkins is so skilled at, with him, less is certainly more. Jodie Foster plays the FBI fledgling agent, Clarice Starling, who is detailed to a case to hunt down a new dangerous serial killer who has taken hostage Catherine, the child of US Senator Ruth Martin. Agent Starling is keen to establish her value to boss Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) and believing that Dr Lecter holds the clue to catch the killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), on the basis that ‘it takes one to know one’, she embarks out on a journey to try and gain Hannibal’s trust, visiting him in the asylum. A risky interchange and affiliation develops between Dr Lecter and Clarice, one of mentor-apprentice, where Lecter continuously has the upper hand incongruously, despite being behind bars. Mind games concerning the two are significant to the film, with the good-looking Clarice with her deliberate southern inflection portraying innocence and helplessness along with her dogged determination and desire to succeed in her male dominated work life. Hopkins portrayal of the notorious Dr Lecter is most entertaining, he manages most convincingly to retain Lecter’s dignity in the solitary, austere jail cell where he is confined for his horrific crimes. His ‘matter-of-fact’ tone, witty sarcasm and appealing charm enthralls as he slowly controls the fresh FBI cadet, continuously keeping one step in front of her, delving profoundly into her awareness. Hopkins once stated ‘I am able to play monsters well. I understand monsters. I understand madmen’. Hopkins talks in riddles to the young FBI agent, riddles that result in positive leads for Starling. Lecter however, makes sure Starling gets him the move he wishes to new and enhanced quarters with more autonomy. Buffalo Bill, the serial killer wanted by agent Starling. Buffalo Bill is a sexual deviant who skins his female victims. Dr Lecter was a former doctor of this disquieting individual. There is one particular shot where you are sure to be on the edge of your seat rooting for agent Clarice Starling as she is chased by Buffalo Bill. This movie is the first of the trilogy where Hopkins plays Dr Lecter, the other two being ‘Hannibal’ (2001) and ‘Red Dragon’ (2002), although ‘Red Dragon’ was in fact the first of stthe three books written by Thomas Harris in 1981 and the sequel being ‘Silence of the Lambs’ published in 1988 and then ‘Hannibal’ in 1999. The book ‘Hannibal Rising’ written again by Harris in 2005 was also made into a film, about the formative years of Dr Hannibal Lecter. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com To read more about Anthony Hopkins movies, including unique movie reviews, movie clips, buy DVDs, news and pictures visit www.anthonyhopkinsmovies.com. |
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