The Silence of the Lambs-1991

Director Jonathan Demme

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster

Top 250 Films #64

Top 40 Horror Films #15

Scott’s Review #320

Reviewed January 3, 2016

Grade: A

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) has the honorary achievement of being one of only three films to win the top five Oscar statuettes, having been awarded Best Picture, Best Director (Jonathan Demme), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), and Best Actress (Jodie Foster) at the 1991 Oscar ceremonies.

This is no small feat, especially considering the film was released in March (not an Oscar-happy month) and is a horror film.

These elements speak volumes about The Silence of the Lambs’ mastery, and the film holds up incredibly well over the years.

The film was a sleeper hit at release and gradually built momentum throughout the year, becoming a phenomenon and a lasting classic.

The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris and, despite being a horror film, contains little gore.

The film stars Foster as Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee her superiors send to interview the infamous Hannibal Lecter.

Hannibal, “The Cannibal”, is a highly intelligent former psychiatrist who has been banished to a maximum-security insane asylum after having been found guilty of killing and eating his victims.

The FBI hopes that Hannibal will aid them in a current case involving “Buffalo Bill”, a serial killer who skins his female victims.

Hannibal and Clarice begin an intense, strange relationship in which he gets under her skin and questions her unhappy childhood in exchange for information about “Buffalo Bill”.

This relationship leaves Clarice vulnerable, though the pair develops a strong connection.

As Hannibal makes increasingly demanding demands in exchange for information, he eventually escapes from custody in a chilling, bizarre escape.

The psychological elements and the intense relationship between Hannibal and Clarice are monumental, and Hopkins and Foster share amazing chemistry.

Hopkins gives a top-notch and downright creepy performance as the cannibalistic killer.

His mannerisms are stiff and calculating, his tone is monotone, and he embodies his character, making him a legendary, recognizable presence in film history.

Two memorable lines he utters are: “I do wish we could chat longer, but I am having an old friend for dinner,” and “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”

The character of “Buffalo Bill” is as terrifying as Hannibal Lecter.

Portrayed by Ted Levine, the character is maniacal, sexually confused, and otherwise downtrodden.

A tailor, he dreams of making a full “woman suit” from his victim’s skin. His current hostage, a Senator’s daughter, is kept confined in an old well and terrorized by Bill’s antics.

His famous line, “It puts the lotion on, or it gets the hose again,” still terrifies me.

Highly influential, imitated for years to come, and featuring multiple lines and characters permanently etched into film history, The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is a classic not soon forgotten.

The film spawned multiple sequels, none of which come close to the original’s power and psychological complexity.

Oscar Nominations: 5 wins-Best Picture (won), Best Director-Jonathan Demme (won), Best Actor-Anthony Hopkins (won), Best Actress-Jodie Foster (won), Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published (won), Best Sound, Best Film Editing

Golden Globe Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture-Drama, Best Director-Jonathan Demme, Best Actor-Drama-Anthony Hopkins, Best Actress-Drama-Jodie Foster (won), Best Screenplay