Too Scary 2 Watch!: 23. The Silence of the Lambs

Title: The Silence of the Lambs

Year:        1991
Genre:      Serial Killer
Type:    A-Movie
Run Time: 118
Theatrical MPAA Rating: R-Rated

Cast:       Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine,
         Scott Glenn
Director: Jonathan Demme
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IMDB Movie Link

Buy it at Amazon

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Watch Movie

Click Here to Watch The Silence of the Lambs

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Trailer

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Synopsis

A psychopath nicknamed Buffalo Bill is murdering women across the Midwest. Believing it takes one to know one, the FBI sends Agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) to interview a demented prisoner who may provide clues to the killer's actions. That prisoner is psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant, diabolical cannibal who agrees to help Starling only if she'll feed his morbid curiosity with details of her own complicated life. As their relationship develops, Starling is forced to confront not only her own hidden demons, but also an evil so powerful that she may not have the courage or strength to stop it!

Detailed Synopsis

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/synopsis

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Personal Thoughts

The Silence of the Lambs may very well be the best serial killer drama/film of all time. There it is, I've said it! The Silence of the Lambs, in the eyes of many, was to 90's serial killer movies what Scream was to 90's slashers ... it was the movie that set a standard, spawning a trend of copycats and other movies done in its likeness.

Though The Silence of the Lambs, is not considered a horror movie, by any stretch of the imagination, Hannibal Lecter (said to have gotten some of his inspiration from real life American killer, Ed Gein) finds himself ranked amongst some of the greatest horror slasher icons of all time; Micahel Myers, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, Freddy Krueger, Jigsaw, Candyman and Hannibal Lecter!

Hannibal the Cannibal (who's actual first film appearance came in the 1986 thriller Manhunter, played by Brian Cox) gets portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, for which he went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1991.

The Silence of the Lambs (based on Thomas Harris' novel of the same title) is a well written, smart, intelligent film, that combines elements of crime, psychologically thriller, and horror. When I went to the theaters to see this movie (back in the day), I did so knowing absolutely nothing about it ... I wasn't expecting much and I thought it was gonna be something about farms ... (that's dumb, I know ... I was young and didn't have a clue). Boy was I wrong! It has since, gone on to become one of my Top Favorite Movies of all time.

I loved the atmosphere ... it was dark, cold and gloomy ... and the acting, of course, was top notch. I also loved watching Clarice Starling try to solve Hannibal Lecter's riddles ... the chemistry between Hopkins (Lecter) and Foster (Starling) was incredible. Buffalo Bill's voice, character, and demeanor was disturbing (that guy still freaks me out) ... and I Loved the strong and independent nature of Clarice Starling who came from a small town in Virginia and made it all the way to the F-B-I!

This film has some forgettable" red faced" moments that would definitely deem it inappropriate for kids. And the movie also has some memorable moments, none (in my opinion) greater than the climatic ending, in which the crowd gave a standing ovation!

In Closing: The Silence of the Lambs is a must see classic for people that are fans of the serial killer movie genre. It's arguably the greatest serial killer drama of all time, which is why I'm making this my 23rd recommendation ... good for all grayed skied, gloomy occasions.

Review

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20010218/REVIEWS08/102180301/1023

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What I liked:

- The acting (and onscreen chemistry between actors)
- The atmosphere and ambience
- Hannibal the Cannibal Lecter
- The ending

What I didn't like:

- The movie feels long and can tend to drag at times
- The movie has a couple inappropriate scenes only suitable for an adult

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My Ratings