The Silence of the Lambs
Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Ted Levine
Inspired by Thomas Harris’s suspense novel by the same name, “The Silence of the Lambs” is a chilling and suspenseful film that follows a young FBI Agent, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), as she collaborates with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), in order to rescue a young girl from the hands of the sinister killer, Buffalo Bill.
One of the most important themes in “The Silence of the Lambs” is transformation and nowhere is this theme illustrated more brilliantly than in the characters of Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill.
As for Hannibal Lecter, his transformation is realized in his relationship with Clarice Starling. While he is a gifted killer, Hannibal is also a gentleman. So long as people play by his rules, he is content to remain a gentleman. If his code is broken then the consequences that he inflicts on his victims are severe and absolute. He is a man who understands one thing: pain. When his lust for inflicting physical pain is hindered within the walls of his cell, he finds his satisfaction by inflicting emotional pain on Agent Starling. He forces her to recognize the truth…whether that truth rests in her willingness to accept the harsh reality of her past or her ability to understand the ever-changing conundrum that is Buffalo Bill. In the end, his contempt for Clarice is transformed into respect and it is his affection for her that compels Hannibal to spare her life.
Buffalo Bill undergoes an altogether different kind of transformation. Unlike Hannibal who is a naturally gifted killer, Bill was not born a criminal. His past transformed into one from the years of unrelenting abuse. Although he tried multiple times to find salvation by transforming himself into something he found beautiful, his failure to do so led to an addictive need to mutilate women in order to satiate his own desire. His need to mutilate women is his way of purging the rage and helplessness that he feels and his desire can only be sated when he transforms himself literally into what has so long been denied to him.
“The Silence of the Lambs” is one of the most chilling and perfectly told horror films that I have ever seen. The casting for this film is flawless, particularly for Anthony Hopkins who shines in his role of Hannibal Lecter. The film was renowned for being the third film in history to win the prestigious “Big Five” at the Academy Awards in 1992 – winning the award for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director - and its prestige was very well-deserved. If you enjoy a good horror film, then “The Silence of the Lambs” is one that I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, Ted Levine
Inspired by Thomas Harris’s suspense novel by the same name, “The Silence of the Lambs” is a chilling and suspenseful film that follows a young FBI Agent, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), as she collaborates with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), in order to rescue a young girl from the hands of the sinister killer, Buffalo Bill.
One of the most important themes in “The Silence of the Lambs” is transformation and nowhere is this theme illustrated more brilliantly than in the characters of Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill.
As for Hannibal Lecter, his transformation is realized in his relationship with Clarice Starling. While he is a gifted killer, Hannibal is also a gentleman. So long as people play by his rules, he is content to remain a gentleman. If his code is broken then the consequences that he inflicts on his victims are severe and absolute. He is a man who understands one thing: pain. When his lust for inflicting physical pain is hindered within the walls of his cell, he finds his satisfaction by inflicting emotional pain on Agent Starling. He forces her to recognize the truth…whether that truth rests in her willingness to accept the harsh reality of her past or her ability to understand the ever-changing conundrum that is Buffalo Bill. In the end, his contempt for Clarice is transformed into respect and it is his affection for her that compels Hannibal to spare her life.
Buffalo Bill undergoes an altogether different kind of transformation. Unlike Hannibal who is a naturally gifted killer, Bill was not born a criminal. His past transformed into one from the years of unrelenting abuse. Although he tried multiple times to find salvation by transforming himself into something he found beautiful, his failure to do so led to an addictive need to mutilate women in order to satiate his own desire. His need to mutilate women is his way of purging the rage and helplessness that he feels and his desire can only be sated when he transforms himself literally into what has so long been denied to him.
“The Silence of the Lambs” is one of the most chilling and perfectly told horror films that I have ever seen. The casting for this film is flawless, particularly for Anthony Hopkins who shines in his role of Hannibal Lecter. The film was renowned for being the third film in history to win the prestigious “Big Five” at the Academy Awards in 1992 – winning the award for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director - and its prestige was very well-deserved. If you enjoy a good horror film, then “The Silence of the Lambs” is one that I would highly recommend.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.