The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

 

        Happy Saturday, everyone! My haitus has officially ended and I'm back full-swing writing horror film reviews. I didn't time the return, by the way, being October but needless to say the timing was, indeed, perfect. 

    Briefly, the haitus was due to moving and transitioning to a new job. Although I said I would return after I adjusted to the new job it felt like I never really did. Thankfully, I was able to leave and I'm finally back to where I wanted to be 2 months ago. More details about my career changes in the future but for now, you can count on consistent horror film reviews moving forward. At the end of the review, you'll be able to participate in some polls to make up for lost time. Thank you to all my readers for being patient with me. 

    To honor my return, I gave away the film I was to review and a lot of you seemed excited for this one (who wouldn't be?). This is perhaps one of my all-time favorite horror films and to write a review solely based on emotion wouldn't fly so I took it upon myself to watch it 5 times this week for an accurate review. Either way, I'm flattered!

    The Silence of the Lambs was directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Ted Tally and released in the US on Febuary 14th, 1991. The film stars Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, and Ted Levine. As of this year, it is said the film is still the only horror movie ever to have won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The film also received an award for Best Horror Film at the Horror Hall of Fame Awards with Vincent Price himself presenting the award! Filming took place mostly in Pittsburgh, PA and some parts of West Viriginia. The layout for Buffalo Bill's basement was inspired by the real life killings and kidnappings of Gary M. Heidnik. The film is also an adaption of the 1988 novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. With a $19 million budget, the film grossed a whoopin' $272.7 million worldwide. Given the subtle nature of the film, true crime/thriller fusion, black humor, and stellar performances by Hopkins and Foster, it remains as one of the most influential films of all time. The film runs for a total of 118 minutes. 

    Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, is sent to speak with the incarcerated Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychologist and cannibal himself, to help her catch serial killer Buffalo Bill who skins his female victims. Speaking with Dr. Lecter is no walk in the park, though. He makes Starling's mission a psychological game.

    It's challenging to write an unbiased review of one of your favorite horror films but I'd like to think The Silence of the Lambs is one that speaks for itself. Right off the bat you have a crime thriller and horror film rolled into one: a perfect symbiotic relationship. While it doesn't present traditional horor attributes, it certainly presents its own. The elephant in the room is the casting. Both Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster won Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress repectively for their amazing performances. It is said Jodie Foster was given the role out of her passion for the character after having read the novel even though Michelle Pfeiffer was the intended actress. Foster brought to life a character that despite the odds against her as a young woman in a male-dominated industry, perservered to bring justice: genuine passion of a student for their promising career. Dr. Lecter is perhaps among the most intriguing and refreshing of the horror icons. He didn't have a dark, traumatic past or is frequently reanimated. He was human, a working professional, a part of society. Hopkins' potrayal as both a psychiatrist and a cannibal was a challenging task but nonetheless executed beautifully as neither persona loses its essence. Hopkins behind a leather muzzle mask showing nothing but icy, stale, blue eyes is among the most recognized icon in the horror realm. The characters here provide a strong foundation for the story to fall on, providing an immersive experience. The film is multidimensional making every story having the potential to be a film of its own. The soundtrack is pleasing and impressive considering it was performed/written with extra attention by the Munich Symphony Orchestra.

    The Silence of the Lambs has a lot to be lauded for but I will let you see it for yourself. It is a thoroughly detailed, gracefully flowing film that leaves you at the edge of your seat. It presents a believable story with an ending that ties its ends yet leaves some mystery (a few breaths) for the viewer. If you are a true crime fanatic, you will certainly get a kick out of this. This is a film I recommend you watch on your own first to take it all in but otherwise it is certainly enjoyed with anyone who is willing to pay attention and keep talking to a minimum for 118 minutes.

My overall rating is 10/10 based on:

-Fluid story

-Attention to detail

-Crime/Horror fusion

-Casting

-Character potrayal

-Cinematography

-Themes

-Score

    To celebrate the month of October and preparing for our favorite holiday, I've created a Halloween poll with more options to choose from that will be posted on the evening of Monday, October 31st on top of consistently reviewing films from here onwards. The poll will close Thursday, October 27th so there is still plenty of time to cast your vote. Of course, if you don't like any of the options presented you are more than welcome to specify which you would like on the poll and I will add it. 

 You can vote here: Halloween Poll

    Thank you to all my patient readers! Please let me know what you think. Always curious to hear your thoughts. I'm happy to not only be back writing reviews but happy my life is back on track. As of this post, I'm working on the next review which I may or may not post by Saturday night...it may or may not have Hopkins starring...who knows?

Stay safe and make wise decisions!

-CL