The Scariest Performance Ever

Rating: 10/10 (4 July 2005)

If Anthony Hopkins ever needs to present evidence in court that he is in fact a talented actor, he need look no further than right here. Through Hopkins' performance, Hannibal Lecter becomes more scary than Dracula, Wolf Man or any other monster in movie history. Lecter is the proof that the greatest horror comes from the mind. It is not the though of Lecter coming into our house in the middle of the night and eating us that is scary, its what he can do just by looking and talking to us. That evokes true fear. Hopkins is so affecting, he alone gives this 7 stars. But thats not to say the rest of the film is weak. Jodie Foster redefines the heroine as Clarice Starling. She is head strong and...............vagina sure? I suppose that would have to suffice as cock-sure. Starling is also weak though, and its a testament to Fosters' acting chops that Starling doesn't just swoon at Lecters speeches, but rather fires back equally acidic comments at him. However, Hopkins remains the star of this fine piece of film-making. Even though he's only in it for 18 minutes!