Don't let him inside your head

Rating: 9/10 (26 July 2001)

"I ate his liver with some fater beans and a nice chanti". This classic thriller based on the novel by Thomas Harris is an all time gem. A serial killer helping to find a serial killer, this is not something that you see very often.
Women are being hunted by a somewhat deranged serial killer known only as 'Buffalo Bill'. His name refers to his trademark, skinning his victims. In an attempt to secure a lead on Bill FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is sent by her superiors to question the infamous Dr. Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, so called as his victims were eaten. Lecter is being held in a maximum security mental institute for life, of which he has already served eight years.
Hannibal asks Starling personal questions, questions which she has been told not to answer. However after a sixth victim is found skinned Starling is at Lecters mercy. She is forced to tell Lecter everything about her childhood which includes the slaughtering of the lambs. For these questions that are answered Lecter rewards Starling with information about Buffalo Bill.
A bond is formed between Lecter and Starling, though it is not clear if Lecter is sexually interested in Starling. He does kill Miggs, a psychopath who is in the next cell to Lecter, by making him swallow his own tongue. However, you do not know if he did this because he threw semen at Starling or he did it to amuse himself.
I don't want to ruin the film for those reading this who haven't seen it, so I'll let you experience this movie for yourself.
Marks out of 10 - 9. Quite simply a brilliant film, with flawless acting and superb direction from Jonathan Demme.