“First principles, Clarice. Read Marcus Aurelius. Of each particular thing ask: What is it in itself? What is its nature? What does he do, this man you seek?”“It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told.It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.Yes, it will, Precious, won’t it?
It will get the hose!”*Silence of the Lambs. This gruesome, disturbing and frightening film is based on American author Thomas Harris’ best selling book by the same name. It is adapted and directed by Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme.
An FBI trainee, Clarice Starling (portrayed brilliantly by Jodie Foster) is assigned to a difficult case of tracking down a serial killer nick named Buffalo Bill (portrayed by Ted Levine), for reasons that become evident in the course of the film, by her boss, Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn).
In the course of her work, she ends up interviewing another notorious serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins in possibly his greatest on-screen performance), previously a psychiatrist but now imprisoned in a mental asylum, for clues about Buffalo Bill, who was once his patient. Dr. Lecter is dubbed ‘Hannibal the cannibal’ again for reasons that become evident as the film progresses.
After a brilliantly executed ‘introduction’ scene, Lecter toys with Agent Starling when he says that he will help her find Buffalo Bill if she tells him about herself and the worst memory of her childhood. Lecter’s affection is aroused when he finds out that Clarice was an orphaned child and mostly unloved. It is fun to watch their exchanges and the developing dynamics in a battle of nerves.
It looks dangerous and yet is fascinating.Around this point, Buffalo Bill kidnaps a senator’s daughter and the pressure on Clarice to find him before he kills her, escalates as the time passes. It is then that Lecter reveals what he knows about the basic nature of Buffalo Bill. *“He covets. That’s his nature. And how do we begin to covet, Clarice? Do we seek out things to covet? Make an effort to answer now.
”“We begin by coveting what we see every day. Don’t you feel eyes moving over your body, Clarice? And don’t your eyes seek out the things you want?”*And that’s how Clarice gets an important clue to the case. After that it is a nonstop terrifying ride into the heart of darkness and the darker corners of the human mind.
On a personal note:The movie is NOT about Hannibal Lecter at all, but somehow by the end of it one feels that it is. That is saying something for Anthony Hopkins’ brilliant performance as the genius cum demented cannibal, Hannibal Lector. In spite of actually being a demon and a horrible villain, Hopkins makes one to LIKE Hannibal and feel that he is a hero.
We get to know both the murderous sociopaths Hannibal and Buffalo Bill, only through the eyes and ears of an FBI trainee, and that makes it all the more realistic and frightening. The movie depicts gender based discrimination in law enforcement agencies.
There has been controversy over the film’s stereotypical depiction of transsexuals and a lot of viewers would find several scenes disconcerting. I couldn’t help but feel that there was a slight hint of chemistry between Lector and Clarice. Why, Lector even says “people will say we’re in love.” That apart, Lecter truly likes Clarice from the beginning and I just KNEW that he would not hurt her.
Hopkins’ intensity is mind-blowing; he brings tremendous style and sophistication to a shady, insane character, and that is not easily accomplished by many seasoned actors today.Also notable is the fact that although both are psychopaths in the true sense, we absolutely HATE Buffalo Bill but not the cultured Lecter even when he snarls and says that he “ate his liver with fava beans and a glass of Chianti.
”The background score is mournful and sets a dark atmosphere through out. Nothing and I mean “nothing” interrupts the narrative for even a moment. Jodie Foster compels us to watch out for her safety as she progresses deeper and deeper into the darkness in her hunt for the serial killer.The dim lighting effects used and a deliberate attempt to achieve a low-budget look give this flick a truly realistic feel.Jodie Foster still in her early career at the time interpreted the character of Clarice Starling flawlessly.
Foster’s Clarice is naïve, sometimes looks desperately vulnerable but in reality is extremely intelligent, rock solid and courageous.Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill is the nastiest criminal to hit mainstream cinema. His appearance and voice (deliberately modulated) made me cringe. Scott Glen as Jack Crawford did a fine job. The script is first rate and contains many notable one-liners.There are several places in the movie where we are left horrified by what is being shown on the screen.
Then there are several places where we are left horrified by what is NOT BEING SHOWN on the screen. Like all the greatest thrillers, Silence of the Lambs terrifies us with implied violence.It deservedly won five Oscars for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Direction and Best Motion Picture. There are very few movies in the ‘thriller’ genre that have been nominated for the Oscars (much less won), and Silence of the Lambs stands out on this fact alone.
This film based on Thomas Harris’ novel ‘Silence of the Lambs’ is very much superior to follow ups like Hannibal and Red Dragon and is in its own league. A recommendation of the highest order. Best watched with a glass of Chianti. ?PS: My dear brave MSians, you will let me know when the lambs stop screaming, won’t you?