A Sophisticated Killer

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2019)

There are psychological thrillers and then there's this. I cannot think of anyone other than Sir Anthony Hopkins to play the lead role of A serial killer/ cannibal/ sophisticated psychopath. He's a conversational artist, and someone who knows what he's capable of without fear of expressing his interests in what we refer to as cannibalism. The initial meeting between himself and the FBI agent Clarice, gives his character a sense of meaning, and purpose. It's not everyday he has the pleasure of indulging in a conversation, and being locked up you would think his social skills are little rusty! But quite the contrary.
I'm expected to believe that this DR knows he's aging and on the verge of never seeing daylight again, and so Clarice becomes more of a confidant, and helpful test subject for the DR to engage with, in context of the finer, more simpler pleasures of human interaction.
He gives off a sense of honour; it's not everyday a psychopathic killer is approached by an agent that seeks advice on a case which she cannot understand! The DR has been caught for similar acts of violent murders and knows no-one else is better equipped to advise young Clarice.
And now we have reason, we have a plot, and we have established the characters influences on each other. The Dr Seems to be more than willing to help, so helpful in-fact you feel as though Clarice will truly understand the mind of such a character. The Dr (aka Hannibal lectar) effortlessly allows the agent to believe she is the only form of communication he has, and that he needs her just as much as she needs him, however under false pretences, to give her the impression that he's worthy of her trust and at the same time asserting his mannerisms. No-one truly knows what Hannibal lectar seeks, except Hannibal himself! Perhaps to be remembered? By consolidating with the detective? A more exciting challenge presenting itself with Clarice in the frame? After all Clarice is the only person that can truly reveal the DR to be more than what society has labelled him to be! Through Clarice, a young in-experienced agent, the doctor sees opportunity, to tell A story, presents his theories and ideology like A conductor leading an orchestra, like a father leaving behind a legacy, like a master educating his disciple. It begs the question, if you were in the detectives position, how comfortable and relaxed does Hannibal lectar make you feel? Do you feel closer to his mind? Are you forming a bond?...... The answer is YES! And this exactly how he begins to lead his victims into a false sense of security, to eventually get close enough to you too............ EAT YOU!!!!!! Muhahahaha!!!!
As a member of the audience I was lead to believe the DR is creating a calm and relaxed environment with his tone of voice, but at the same time I felt he created a somewhat eerie atmosphere, as his reputation truely begins to preced him, from the moment he is introduced!
A film worthy to be considered as one of the most sophisticated and eerie performances to date. Suspense, suspense, suspense.