Screaming Lambs!!!

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2008)

'The Silence of The Lambs' is a great example of how powerful a film can be when the director, writer, actors, cinematographers and the rest of the crew put their best into something. No one associated with the movie thought that it would win so many awards. The intention was to bring Thomas Harris's excellent chiller on screen. Ted Tally's screenplay is terrific as it forms a structured outline and sets a gloomy tone. Moreover the dialogues are scintillating. Demme's stupendous direction is what makes this meticulously crafted thriller one of a kind. The suspense is well built and the Demme carefully peels the layer relying on subtle cues and conspicuous symbolism. For example, the prison really manages to create that claustrophobic feel.
'The Silence of The Lambs' is one of the very few thrillers where everything works. The cinematography deserves special mention. The fastidious closeups, long shots and the actors talking to the camera are formidable. The score contributes to the chilling glum atmosphere
The acting by the main cast is splendiferous. In spite of his small screen time, Anthony Hopkins has a very dominating presence and it is no unknown fact that his Hannibal Lecter remains one of the most memorable characters on screen. Jodie Foster is sublime. In a way, her Clarice Starling created the new movie prototype of a female FBI, a trend that was followed by many actresses (notably Gillian Andersen in 'X-Files'). I loved her spontaneous and natural reactions to Hannibal Lecter's remarks in the prison scenes. The eerie sequences between Foster and Hopkins are among the highlights and the conversations in those scenes are morbidly amusing. Ted Levine is frightening. Scott Glenn and Anthony Heald are competent.
'The Silence of The Lambs' is one of the most finely crafted films of its genre. It's definitely stood the test of time and it's one that doesn't get dull with repeated viewing. It's a classic.