The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Encore Review 2

“I’ve no plans to call on you, Clarice. The world is more interesting with you in it.” – Hannibal Lecter

Number of Times Seen – At least 10 times (Theater, video, DVD, 3 Jul 2013, 27 Oct 2016 and 2 Nov 2020)

Link to original review – Here and Here

Brief Synopsis – An FBI trainee is sent to interview an imprisoned serial killer in order to gain insight into how to capture a new killer on the loose.

My Take on it – This is a movie that I recall seeing in the theater when it came out and knew nothing about it.

The movie is a perfect example of a psychological thriller that works nearly perfectly and in so many ways.

The casting of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodi Foster as Agent Starling was really intelligent because they both are superb in these roles.

They were each very deserving of winning Oscars for their work in this film.

The pacing of the story is done really well and they find some great ways to keep thing so thrilling to watch unfold.

The story is filled with some great twists and turns along the way that help raise the suspense level as things move along.

The story is presented in such a way that it helps keep things so engaging and enjoyable to watch as things go in some very intriguing directions.

The dialogue is superbly written and the verbal battle of wits between the two main characters is so gripping to listen to.

Hannibal Lecter is one of the greatest film villains and that has so much to do with the way that Hopkins plays him in a cold and calm manner as he constantly plans his next devious move.

Bottom Line – Amazing psychological thriller that works on so many levels. Foster and Hopkins are both perfect in these roles and were both very deserving of their Oscar wins for these roles. The story moves along at a great pace and they find really interesting ways to keep things so thrilling the whole way through. The various twists and turns in the story are played out really well and help make things so much more engaging and enjoyable to watch. The dialogue is quite powerful and enhances the way that thing unfold especially during the various battles of wits between these two main characters. Lecter is one of the best villains ever created because of the way that he is able to remain calm and collected the whole time as he plans out his next sinister move. Highly Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – When characters are talking to Starling (Jodie Foster), they often talk directly to the camera. When she is talking to them, she is always looking slightly off-camera. Director Jonathan Demme has explained that this was done so as the audience would directly experience her point-of-view, but not theirs, hence encouraging the audience to more readily identify with her. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (10/10) (no change from original review)