Silence of the Lambs- a decent thriller but not a horror

Rating: 8/10 (24 January 2005)

Having seen Hannibal before this and enjoying it, I really got my hopes up since this was supposed to be even better (after all, it won 5 Oscars). And in many ways it is.
Agent Clarice Starling has just joined the FBI and her first assignment is to track down a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. To do that, she enlists the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, an infamous cannibal who is being held at a maximum security psychiatric hospital. From there on it is an excellent duel between Lecter and Starling, both delivering top notch performances (though unfortunately, we don't see too much of Lecter). As the FBI is closing in on Buffalo Bill, Lecter is growing over Starling. Though at first she was instructed to only 'get the goods and nothing else', she crosses that line. And from there it continues into the hunt for Buffalo Bill and the relationship between the two main characters.
This movie was above all a thriller. It was tense, interesting and included everything that one could hope for. However, despite being listed so, it is not a horror. There are a few remote and moderately creepy elements but nothing to truly send chills down your back. The direction by Jonathan Demme I would describe as competent. It is strong but in a few places I felt that he could have made it a bit creepier and maybe even bloodier. Tak Fujimoto's cinematography which in this movie is represented by a heavy use of steadicam and well used hand-held shots is excellent and right on the mark.
Overall an excellent thriller. 8/10