Review of The Silence of the Lambs (74)

Plot
FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist turned brutal serial killer. Starling must match wits with Lecter and trust him to give her clues in the search for "Buffalo Bill," an unknown serial killer who is kidnapping and murdering young women across the Midwest.

Jason’s Thoughts
I have seen The Silence of the Lambs probably around 50 times.  Even after all of those viewings, I am sure I could watch it 50 more and not grow tired of it as it is just that good.  That is no small feat either, considering the fact that The Silence of the Lambs is a thriller, which can tend to lose their impact and appeal over time.  

One of the reasons that this movie is so great is that even with multiple viewings it elicits the same reaction out of you over and over again.  I will always get a chill when hearing Hannibal Lecter talk so cold and so matter-of-fact about killing one of his victims and eating his liver.  The feeling of disgust and pity still comes out when I see Buffalo Bill do his little dance in front of the video camera.  The tension is still present when I watch the scene with the night goggles.  

Another aspect that I enjoyed is that The Silence of the Lambs has two distinct evil characters that have done unspeakable acts, however, in the end your feelings for each of them are the exact opposite.  Buffalo Bill kidnaps and skins his victims in order to create a female suit to fulfill his sick, perverted fantasy.  Hannibal Lecter has taken advantage of some vulnerable patients and actually ate their remains.  As the movie goes on, you find yourself rooting for one and rooting against the other.  When it all plays out, you find yourself happy with the end result, even though one has escaped.

All of this can be credited to a great story and a great cast to go along with it.  It isn’t hard to see why this movie swept the Academy Awards as both Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster are perfect in their roles.  Even Ted Levine, who played Buffalo Bill, was great in his role in his own weird way.  

I just can’t believe that it isn’t higher than it is on the list.  It most certainly deserves it.

Crystal’s Thoughts
I think this is easily one of those movies I could watch over and over and still have it captivate me.  From the story line to the excellent acting, it is also easy to see how this movie makes the list of all time best.  The film moves in a matter in which story lines are spun together making it move quickly yet keep you guessing.  The feeling prevails even if it is your second, third or tenth watch of the movie.

I particularly like how the title Silence of the Lambs is incorporated in to the movie.  To me, that shows that a lot of thought went into the script.  The title is weaved into it throughout, even if at first you are completely unaware of Starlings real quest.  You are almost immediately aware of how much Starling means to Dr. Lector.  While that is never quite revealed, it is obvious as the movie wraps up with Starling becoming an FBI agent and all the others who upset Dr. Lector met their death.  For me, that is another reason to rate this film so highly.  The movie makes you think.  You must be intellectual to get its true meaning.  A screenwriter, director and actors who understand that and put it across on the big screen deserve the highest of acknowledgements.  

As I write this, I note how difficult it is to write a review for such a well done film.  The simplest of advice I can give one is to simply watch this movie.

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