The Silence of the Lambs is a chilling story depicted through the dissection and analysis of a genius cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lector played by Anthony Hopkins.

Rating: 8/10 (2 November 2009)

The Silence of the Lambs is a chilling story depicted through the dissection and analysis of a genius cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lector played by Anthony Hopkins. Director Johnathan Demme uses Clarice Starling played by Jodie Foster to play on Hannibal Lector's manipulating intelligence. Clarice is originally selected by the head of FBI's behavioral Science unit Jack Crawford to track down a notorious serial killer nicknamed Buffalo Bill. Crawford asks Clarice to meet with Dr. Hannibal Lector in order to find the whereabouts of buffalo bill. This constant interaction between Clarice and Dr. Lector makes for an exciting mind game played on both sides.
Director Johnathan Demme's use of dark emphasis on reality combined with Anthony Hopkins assertive and sadistic abilities as an actor makes for great chemistry. Jodie Foster's "matter a fact" persona is presented as a challenge to Dr. Lector. This relationship is established at the beginning and continuously unraveled as the story progresses. On one occasion Clarice meets with Dr. Lector who is sitting behind bullet proof glass inside his windowless cell. Dr. Lector finds is release through the analysis of Clarice's life. Clarice uses her disturbing past to compensate for links to Buffalo Bill. Dr. Lector eventually falls for Clarice's pursuit and gives her a clue that leads to one of Dr. Lector's past patients. From this point Clarice takes her findings back to Dr. Lector in hopes of finding Buffalo Bill who has now abducted Catherine Martin, the daughter of Senator Ruth Martin. With the severity of the situation on Clarice's back she is forced to come up with an answer. Knowing this she makes a deal with Dr. Lector's request of transferring to a different facility in return for finding buffalo bill.
Johnathan Demme brings a new definition to the word climax. Demme's use of scenery and dictation of characters like buffalo bill and Hannibal Lector seeks out an eerie pocket that most viewers are not used to experiencing. Camera angles and screen shots help to put you in the shoes of Clarice and buffalo bills hopeless victims. Although Clarice attempts to portray herself as a mentally tough FBI official we see Dr. Lector's tactics of recalling her childhood past begin to eat away at her. This struggle brings Clarice's true personality out which ties into a remarkable conclusion. Demme is attempting to bring you into the mind of mad genius. Through the harshness of reality seen in Clarice's past, Dr. Lector's actions and buffalo bills intentions we begin to think there is no hope. Demme brings you so far down into the plot that you begin to transcend your thoughts and emotions as those of the young lady trapped by Buffalo Bill. You have that real sense that you cannot expect a successful conclusion to the multi-dimensional plot as portrayed through multi-dimensional characters.