A thoroughly entertaining film with a few flaws

Rating: 7/10 (1 January 2012)

I often feel that there can be a tendency or at least a temptation on the part film makers who attempt to film a blockbuster novel to try too hard to live up to the expectations of the audiences. How much easier must it seem to film a relatively unknown novel (such as "Silence of the lambs") and be able to expedite your creative flare knowing that there may not be unfair expectations playing In the minds of the audience. In the case of this film, we are not terribly disappointed however the film could perhaps have been trimmed by twenty minutes or so. Furthermore, call me old fashioned but I don't see why it is necessary to include sex scenes in the detail that the makers of this film have. The chemistry between the characters feels much stronger and is often more exciting when their relationship is handled more subtly and where more is left to the mind of the viewer. For this reason and a few others, I don't think that this film will become a classic adaption of a blockbuster novel, but will remain a 'must watch' film which will always carry with it some excitement.