THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

1991 **** 118 mins.

This is one of those films that seem to grow more tiresome with every viewing. The first time I watch it, I absolutely LOVED it. Watching it again, recently, after having seen it a handful of times, I realized that it's not really all that spectacular. Is Anthony Hopkins great at Hannibal Lecter? Yes. But, he does come off as a bit too over the top. Is Jodie Foster great as Clarice Starling? Yes. But, her accent does get frustrating after a while. I'm not going to apologize for liking the first Hannibal-included-story, Manhunter more. In all honesty, this story seems as though Thomas Harris was trying to hard to be different. An FBI agent (in Manhunter it's a retired agent, in this it's a trainee - a forced attempt to make a difference) is hunting down a killer and seeks help from imprisoned criminal Hannibal Lecter (or Lecktor in Manhunter). In this film, though, Hannibal plays a much bigger role. So big, in fact, that many think he's supposed to be the main character and the main bad guy, when that's not the case.

Don't get me wrong. This is an okay film. It's just not as good after really thinking about it.
Original theatrical aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Rated R for language, violence/gore, sexuality, and nudity.