Arrow in the Head reviews "Silence of the Lambs"

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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Directed by:	Jonathan Demme
Starring:	Anthony Hopkins/Hannibal Lecter
	Jodie Foster/Clarice
	Ted Levine/Buffalo Bill
	Scott Glenn/Jack

RATING

PLOT-CRUNCH:

FBI trainee Clarice Sterling (Foster) is on the hunt for a nutso killer named Buffalo Bill (Levine) and turns to incarcerated murderous ex-shrink, Sir Hannibal The Cannibal (Hopkins), to help her catch him. Will she catch the seriously f**ked up Bill before he skins his next victim?

THE LOWDOWN:

The first time I saw this flick I didn’t like it but I couldn’t figure out why. After my second viewing, I nailed the answer: This movie repulses me. If it’s not the sperm being thrown at Jodie Foster’s face...it's the dead, skinless, chubby chicks. If it’s not a psycho transvestite mouthing the words "f**k me" straight to the camera (brrrrrr)...it’s him stuffing his ding-dong between his legs. This flick is gross and not in a good way (for me anyways). Now I don’t know if it was the state of mind that I was in when I watched it (I’m a little stressed these days), or maybe my hormones are all f**ked up, but this flick hit me hard. It’s very rare that I get queasy watching a movie (the only other flick that comes to mind is "I Spit On Your Grave")

But despite my weak stomach towards this flick, I can’t ignore its strength and power. I mean we’ve got it all here: good directing, great dialogue, awesome acting (Hopkins and Foster are so on), solid suspense (the elevator scene and the finale were kick ass!), fully developed characters (I loved the way Clarice’s past is covered and her relationship with Lecter is very layered) and icky gore (he really is a cannibal!!!). There is no denying that this is a well-rounded horror flick.

One thing I didn’t dig is Buffalo Bill’s motive for doing what he does. I mean the guy never heard of press-on nails? Maybe buying more dresses? Implants? Why would he want to do what he does?? On the other hand people like him do exist in the real world. Remember Jeffrey Dahmer (real life fruitcake who use to f**k, boil, and eat his victims)? I mean what’s wrong with these damn people?? I just don’t get them and therefore didn’t understand what drives Bill to do his thang (I know it’s a messed up world Arrow, live with it…).

I guess that’s my problem with Silence Of The Lambs. It’s a piece of fiction but it echoes real life to a T. "Seven" (my fav serial killer flick) was harsh too but David Fincher (the director) put lots of high style in his film. "Silence" is played straight for the most part, to the point that I actually forgot that I was watching a movie. Yes, it’s that good! Anybody up for Chianti??

ACTING:

Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal Lecter) made me forget that in real life he’s an a-hole who keeps on bashing the acting profession. He’s really good here and gave me chills. What a great psycho. Jodie Foster (Clarice) is dead-on as the tough but vulnerable FBI trainee. Her softer moments really hit home. The scenes between Foster and Hopkins are an "acting" treat…wow! I wouldn’t want to meet Ted Levine (Buffalo Bill) in a dark alley. He gives himself totally to the part… very convincing. Scott Glenn (Jack) wears glasses in this one…great acting! I didn’t buy Anthony Heald’s (Dr. Chilton) performance. I felt it was a bit too over the top. He acted like a parody of an a-hole doctor instead of a real a-hole doctor.

GORE:

Plenty. Severed head in a jar, chicks with their skin removed, man with his face chewed up. The violence and the gore look very real. This isn’t "Dead Alive"!

T & A:

Hopkins’ bald head and Levine playing hide and seek with his pecker. We also get pictures of a heavy gal in her bra and underwear. Nothing popped my cork.

DIRECTING:

Demme loves those traveling shots (and I did too). He handles the suspenseful and dramatic scenes like a champ. He shows off great scene transitions (loved Clarice’s flashbacks) and the play with lighting is dead on!

SOUNDTRACK:

A powerful score by Howard Shore and some rock songs. At one point, a certain 80’s pop song is used, and I guarantee that you will never forget that scene.

BOTTOM LINE:

I will never watch Silence Of The Lambs again. That’s a great compliment. It does its job so well that I will avoid this film at all cost in the future. If you’re looking for a solid horror film that covers all its bases and then some…this is it. But if you’re looking for a good fun time…well…rent "Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure" instead. 69 dude!!!!

BULL'S EYE:

This flick won the five main Oscars at the Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director (Demme), Best Actress (Foster), Best Actor (Hopkins) and Best Screenplay.

Horror director George Romero has a cameo in the film. He’s in the scene where the cops and docs pull Clarice away from Lecter’s cage during their last meeting.

Am I the only one who noticed the "swastika" bed sheets Buffalo Bill had? What’s that all about?

Don't blink otherwise you will miss singer Chris Isaac in a small role as one of the FBI agents during the "elevator scene".

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