I'm Having An Old Friend For Dinner

The Silence of the Lambs, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, is an oscar-winning masterpiece.

Intro

The Silence of the Lambs, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, is the only horror movie in cinema history that has ever won the Oscar for best picture. From the suspenseful storyline to the historic acting performances to the chilling symbolism, the film creates a thrilling experience that immerses viewers completely. The film follows Clarice Starling, an FBI training academy student, and Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a psychotic psychiatrist who also happens to be a cannibal.

Suspenseful Storyline

The story starts with Clarice, a top student at her FBI academy. Her superiors ask her to interview a psychiatrist behind bars for murder. It turns out that she is interviewing Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant but violent cannibalistic psychopath. The rest of the film revolves around their growing relationship as she continues to attempt him to help her solve a current case. The gloomy, somber mood that the director creates and maintains throughout the film amplifies the storyline and makes it feel darker and eerier than it seems at face value. However, while most movies tend to be slower and long drawn when utilizing a somber theme, Jonathan Demme maintains an action-packed pace that continues driving the film through the mist of gloom he creates.

Amazing Acting

Jodie Foster delivers a fantastic performance as Clarice Starling, but Anthony Hopkins steals the show. His portrayal of Lecter is in the conversation of best acting displays of all time. From his mannerisms to the chilling feeling that emanates from his smile to his showcasing of psychological prowess, everything about the character is perfect and brought to life by Hopkins’s oscar-winning performance. It would be remiss not to applaud the supporting cast for their solid contributions as well as there are no real weak links in the film as far as acting goes. A potential downside of the film is that Lecter could have been given even more screen time, as he was only shown for 24 minutes, yet still managed to be cemented as an all-time villain.

Closing Critiques

The historic acting alone makes the film a must-watch, adding to that an intense plot and good directing, and you get an all-time great movie. If anything was to be changed, slightly more action could have been included and a faster, more intense beginning. But all in all, the film creates a thrilling, must-watch experience.

Raving Rating: 8.6