Now that I have one of
Thomas Harris's stories under my belt, it's about time I do another, right? Well,
not quite. Not the first of Harris's stories on the silver screen but the first notable, John Demme's The
Silence of the Lambs did more than just bring Harris's work to the mainstream. It popularized one of the most
inventive psychos that you just hate to love from any medium. While in my
previous post, I stated it was nice that Hannibal began as a mere footnote in
Harris's first novel in this universe, Silence
of the Lambs is where Hannibal Lecter really takes on a life of his own and
undoubtedly contributes to the film’s lasting impression. Psycho films
are a dime a dozen but few can make you root for the psychotic character,
especially that of a pseudo-villain like Hannibal Lecter.
Where novels are a
primarily solo endeavor, films are a collaboration of epic proportions. And there are few parties (two for me) that
make this film not only a success, but one that stands the test of time.
If we’re giving out credit
where credit is due, first we have director John Demme to thank. First, let’s establish this film is not
scary. I don't even think it's supposed to be scary. At least not
the type of horror that makes you jump or gives you bad dreams. If it is
scary, its characters are scary only on the subject of believability. The
characters are realistic, and that level of realism makes it scary that a
Buffalo Bill/Hannibal Lecter could exist. It's not like Red Dragon.
The gruesome details are off screen and implied (with the exception of
Hannibal breaking free). But, and it's a big but, Demme's choice
of camera angles are what add a sense of foreboding, a sense of fear, that
otherwise the film would seriously lack. The camera, when shooting
character interactions, are often in close-up frames where only the character’s
eyes and facial expressions can be seen.
And while the settings are for the most part normal (with the exception
of the asylum, Bill’s house, and the storage facility), they are eerie. The
camera gives the film a sense of creepiness that would otherwise not be there. The
settings are for all practical purposes, safe and normal. It's the camera
that makes them uncomfortable such as Dr. Chilton and Jack Crawford's office. They're
safe places: well lit, surrounded by law enforcement and orderlies but the
camera angles make them feel predatory.
We become on edge as we watch the twitches and quirks appear on Starling
or Chilton’s face.
And secondly, and most memorably, we have the cast. While
there are many Hollywood elite that star in Silence
of the Lambs, Anthony Hopkins undoubtedly steals the show as Hannibal
Lecter. He brought the deep,
complex character to life in a way only he could. There are some roles people are born to play and I believe that
one was meant for him. Jody
Foster's is by no means groundbreaking in her performance as Clarice Starling
but she is still memorable. Clarice’s character is a believable portrayal
of a young student trying desperately to advance her career/cope with the
responsibility she's been given. There's a real sense of her being in
over her head the film over. And it's that feeling that is by no means
spelled out for you, in which she fuels the film towards being truly unique. It's
a feeling that is never elaborated on, drawn attention to, or even given a
label (and we know Lecter would have). It's subtle, and that to me, is
where the real brilliance of the movie lies. We feel it because she feels it.
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