Absolute Chemistry

Rating: 10/10 (10 September 2005)

"The Silence of the Lambs" is a modern day classic for a number of reasons. It features Dr. Hannibal Lector, bringing Anthony Hopkins a well deserved Oscar, a pshycotic cannibal behind bars with a brilliant mind. Clarice Starling, a definitive female hero that feeds Lector memories of her chilling childhood, who makes it cool for women to kick butt. And Jack Crawford the FBI Behavioral Sciences Director who encourages Clarice as she investigates the serial murderer Buffalo Bill.
Usually when one who doesn't truly appreciate the beauty of a film, sees "The Silence of the Lambs" as a crime movie with a nude dance scene, a man eating another man's face, Miggs, the Death Heads Moth, and a the hockey mask of Hannibal Lector. But I truly appreciate the chemistry between Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins in this film. The performances of these two brings what could be mistaken for a budding relationship.
In their final scene before Dr. Lector's break out, the chemistry is clearly evident there. The close up shots of their faces would be slightly annoying in another movie, but these shots show the anguish and anxiety of Clarice Starling and the cunning and brilliance of Dr. Lector. As Dr. Lector questions Clarice of the lambs, her mental anguish is forced and she must relive memories of the murder of her father, the town marshal, which could help fuel her search of Buffalo Bill. As Lector educates Clarice on coveting, his face transforms into a slightly evil glare that shows the brilliance and evil coinciding in Dr. Lector's mind. This scene is my absolute favorite because of the past of Starling is revealed. In this scene we see the true evil of Dr. Lector begin to form and show in the movie.
The chemistry is brilliant and perfect. The only other on screen chemistry that could even compare to this would be that of Frankie Dunn and Maggie Fitzgerald, portrayed by Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank, in "Million Dollar Baby."