Brilliant Psychological Thriller !!!

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2005)

Classic Psycho Drama which attacks the senses and plays mind games with whomever watches it ! Anthony Hopkins(Hannibal Lechter) gives a Tour De Force performance as the ultimate misguided Psychiatrist from Hell, whose ambitions vary from moment to psychotic moment. Lechter known for his exceptional perception,is visited by Clarice Starling (Jodi Foster)a new recruit for the F.B.I., that needs to get Hannibal's insight. Even though Hannibal is incarcerated for most of the movie, you feel that he is in total control. Hannibal gives Clarice clues thru the movie, to solve the "Buffalo Bill" case, and to help her advance her career and deal with her psychological problems. In effect he becomes her psychiatrist behind bars, interesting. Watch for their third meeting, where Hannibal's head seems to be floating on the reflective glass, really creepy ! Everyone in the movie , from her boss, Scott Glenn(Jack Crawford) to Jame Gumb(Buffalo Bill), is either seeking advancement or control of their own reality, amazing !!!
As Clarice gets closer to solving the case, Hannibal escapes, and then things really get out of control !!!
Terrific ending in the home of "Buffalo Bill" will leave you on the edge of your seat !!! Great Directing by Jonathan Demme and OUTSTANDING Editing by Craig McCay, take you into the world of Starling and Lechter, but will not let you totally escape from their presence, not a safe movie !!!
There are a few flaws, as to how Lechter gets the pen, or how he knows where to phone Clarice, but they are minor.
Ted Levine should have gotten Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, this role could have typecast his career.
This movie should be viewed by Adults ONLY !!! I highly recommend "Silence of the Lambs", Winner of the TOP 5 Academy Awards, only 3rd movie in history to do so !!!