Because movies are now continuously churned out on a regular basis, few movies, and more so few movie characters will truly stand out. Technology for movie making has evolved and so even has acting and directing technique. There’re some films however, that are likely to never be rivalled by anything new that may hit screens in coming years. One such film, would be The Silence of the Lambs.
The Silence of the Lambs is based on the Thomas Harris authored novel of the same name. It is said that the screen adaptation does not stray too far from the source material, and so Harris gets an abundance of credit for how this film turned out as the writing is the foundation of all projects in cinema. It follows FBI cadet Clarice Starling, as she is tasked with capturing a deranged serial killer named ‘Buffalo Bill’ that murders women and wears their skin as his prize. In order to track him down, Starling is sent to visit brilliant but insane former forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in order to gain his assistance in finding Buffalo Bill.
The Silence of the Lambs is a film that will live on as nothing short of legendary, cleaning up at award season and leaving fans and critics stunned at the shear magnificence of its storytelling as well as the performances of the lead actors.
It is a film that will live on as nothing short of legendary, cleaning up at award season and leaving fans and critics stunned at the shear magnificence of its storytelling as well as the performances of the lead actors. Jodie Foster shows off broad emotional range in her portrayal of Agent Starling. For those that have seen this movie however, it is common knowledge that Sir Anthony Hopkins set a precedent for actors that many argue has not yet been reached, in his performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Other actors have played the part in other adaptations, whether it be Manhunter or the popular TV adaptation Hannibal, yet when most fans think ‘Lecter’ they think Hopkins. Hopkins’ take on Lecter has become so popular that it’s likely other reboots or remakes will happen in the future, but it will be quite the task to rival his version of the character. Everything from his mannerisms to his voice and line delivery is something to be studied and revered by anyone who wants to be an actor. Director Jonathan Demme cannot be left out of the conversation either, as his style of putting Silence of the Lambs together leaves viewers feeling so close to what is happening in the story. The actors looking directly into the camera was quite the touch on his part, and it brings an entirely different vibe when dealing with the darkness of the subject matter.
The Silence of the Lambs is more than worth the purchase. It is also a film that should probably never be remade, because there’s really nothing to gain on anyone’s part. The performances alone are timeless, and anyone who should decide to take a swing will risk being compared to Foster and Hopkins in the worst of ways. For those who have yet to see it, take a look and see if that assessment rings true.
