The Silence of the Lambs captures the attention like no other and doesn't let go

Rating: 9/10 (3 June 2019)

It isn't easy humanizing a cannibalistic serial killer into an engaging and charming person, but Jonathan Demme's The Silence of the Lambs accomplishes this and more. This is a thrilling edge-of-your-seat classic that is a must-watch for all film fanatics.
The film follows Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), an intelligent and driven young woman studying at the FBI Academy for behavioral sciences. She is given the task by FBI director Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) of interviewing convicted cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a cunning and brilliant psychiatrist nicknamed "Hannibal the cannibal". The FBI is tasked with apprehending serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who has murdered and skinned five women before dumping their bodies into rivers. The FBI hopes that Dr. Lecter's perceptive mind can assist them in finding Buffalo Bill's true identity.
The Silence of the Lambs is a great film even for those who are not fond of traditional horror movies. Director Jonathan Demme has a way of captivating the viewer's interest in the story through intelligent writing and an interesting plot. This is not a film with simple jump scares or supernatural creatures but instead other aspects are what make the film feel immensely suspenseful and thrilling.
What makes the film so captivating and gripping throughout is the brilliant cinematography work. The most effective shot that is used is the close-up shot which makes the scene feel chillingly still. Also, during the tensest action scenes, particularly the final climax, the camera work keeps the viewer on edge and guessing.
Anthony Hopkins performed terrifically and made the iconic Hannibal Lecter we know today. His composed manner added layers of personality and intrigue to the character. From the famous introduction scene in his cell, to his skillful escape scene, Hopkins is completely outstanding and leaves the viewer craving his appearance more. Jodie Foster delivered superbly and made Clarice Starling into a character the audience wanted to root for. Her character was strong, determined, and capable, but still showed she had flaws and vulnerabilities and Foster displayed this in a great manner. The acting across the board was a success making this film, at the very least, a watchable spectacle.
The score by Howard Shore is ominous and enhances the suspense of many key parts. He sets the tone throughout the film and provides a truly unnerving experience for the audience.
The way the film slowly reveals more and more information keeps the audience engaged. The way information is revealed leaves the audience to derive things out for themselves which feels rewarding. The film is also packed with deep symbolism and foreshadowing which makes the film watchable even after viewing it several times.
The film may not have been perfect: there were some parts of the film that unnecessarily slowed the plot of the movie, however, the overall story was quite easy to follow. The rare parts where the acting was somewhat lacking was during the scuffles in the action scenes. This shortfall, though, is largely mitigated by the outstanding camera work that the film provides.
This is a unique film that has created various iconic scenes and is deserving of high praise. One modern-day film with similar characteristics is M. Night Shyamalan's "Split", however, The Silence of the Lambs still feels like a unique experience in its entirety. From the exceptional actors to the excellent staff behind the camera, this film has all the makings of a terrific thriller.