Two thumbs up...

Rating: Null/10 (13 December 1999)

I remember seeing this film in -92 and not being terribly amazed by it. With time though it has become a long time favorite of mine and I am yet to see such a combination of talent on a serial killer film as there is in this one. It is actually one of the few films that could have easily been a lot longer since the story had apparently been modified for the screen. The main theme of the film relies very strongly on the character of Hannibal Lecter and Hopkins should have had more screen time.
In retrospect the script, which is well adapted from the novel, doesn't really offer anything new. Much of the story is to me pretty standard crime/serialkiller fiction. Otherwise all the other technicalities of this film are well done and especially the music by Howard Shore adds to the eerie mood. The film works well as a kind of horror/thriller combination. I hope that the sequel will have a good story and a good cast.