I admire that Clarice is an independent woman. She's not someone who has, needs or wants a lover. She doesn't rely on the opinion of a man. She instead is heavily devoted to her job at the FBI. (Hollywood, please provide actresses more role like that.)
The way Hopkins plays Lecter is truly the stuff of nightmares. From his chilling entrance to the unsettling way he speaks, he makes Lecter someone you will never forget. Also, if you didn't freak out from that ad-libbed slurping noise he makes when he tells Clarice what he did to that census taker, you're a braver person than me.
Though Foster and Hopkins won all the acclaim, I can't cap off this review without talking about Levine. Buffalo Bill's modus operandi is a mix between real-life murderers Ted Bundy and Ed Gein, which adds a certain appeal to the role. (Well, at least in my eyes.) He's not as chilling as Lecter, but Buffalo Bill is someone you never want to come in contact with.
The Silence of the Lambs shows the possibility of stopping a crime before it happens. Foster, Hopkins and Levine are great in their respective roles. Personally I'm grateful I saw this in the middle of the day. Lord only knows what I'd be like had I saw it at night.
My Rating: *****
When I had first watched this film, it was all about Hopkins and Lecter for me, who still is probably my favourite villain of all time. But with the repeated viewings, I have come to really appreciate the subtleties in Foster's performance.
ReplyDeleteLevine was really great too.
I really love this. I'm with Nikhat, the first time I watched it I was all about Hopkins, and the more I rewatched it I started to focus on everyone else. He really just stole the show for me.
ReplyDeleteOn a random note, someone at my office yelled "You probably tuck it in and walk backwards in front of your mirror!" to another person the other day. I laughed. Big time.
This is only one of my TOP FIVE FILMS EVER!!! (...if I ever get to ordering that list).
ReplyDeleteImagine a class of 20 or so students in high school, watching this for final year media studies, and quoting 'It rubs the lotion on its skin' in unison... This film is absolutely gripping!
I really enjoy reading your experiences with film, especially seminal ones like this. I gave you a shout out today in the series I have going. Thanks.
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