I've learned to appreciate fava beans!

Rating: 9/10 (13 May 2016)

Johnathon Demme's The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is perhaps an anomaly - it's not your average slasher horror film or predictable thriller, which have come to dominant the genre. The haunting performances and psychological interaction between the characters, coupled with the presence of a strong female character, makes for an eerie production that brings raw emotion into the thriller genre. The plot is undoubtedly intense and well-written. However, it's not so much the story-line as the performances of the actors that make Silence a must-see. Hopkins' control and almost monotone high-pitched voice takes sadistic lines to a whole new level. His gaze brought shivers down my spine as he delves into Clarice's psyche. But Clarice can hold her own against the former psychiatrist. Foster plays her character as young and innocent, but not to a fault. She uses Clarice's naivety and lack of experience as an advantage to stand up to Lector, which he, in turn, finds admirable.
Yes, there are a few gory scenes, but the implied wickedness, the spine-tingling suspense, and the electrifying, terrifying chemistry between the two leads will keep you on the edge of your seat. The actors all did their homework on serial killers and the people who strive to catch them and that effort paid off. The Silence of the Lambs captured the imagination and attention of American moviegoers like few Horror films have. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that most didn't realize they were watching a Horror film to begin with. I'm sure Chianti sales skyrocketed, perhaps even sales of fava beans.
Overall rating: 9 out of 10.