Day 13: Silence of the Lambs

When The Silence of the Lambs was released, few people could have expected the impact it would have on our culture.  Many people consistantly argue over whether the film should be classified as a horror or thriller.  The argument is really invalid, as the film itself seems too mature to fit into the typical "horror" classification, and more in-depth and fastastical to compare to common "thriller" films.  For me, The Silence of the Lambs is, and I imagine will remain, one of the best films ever made.


The film is carried predominantly by the performances by it's two leads.  Jodie Foster bring a quiet strength to her Clarice Starling, while allowing her vulnerability to shine through, allowing the audience to connect with her.  Anthony Hopkins created quite possibly the most interesting character ever committed to film, with his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lector (although a previous version of the character was introduced in the film Manhunter, where Lector was portrayed by the amazing Brian Cox).  Hopkins easily delivers the better performance, and breathes life into an already complex and interesting character.

Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lector in The Silence of the Lambs

The true brilliance of the film was leaving intact the brutality and visceral nature of it's story, and not pandering to a wider audience by toning it down.  The film earns every bit of it's rating, thus making the film a more pleasurable film experience.  While many may have been turned off by the unpleasant subject matter, those people are now rushing home on a daily basis to watch any type of procedural show on TV, that owes it's existance to this film (CSI,  Criminal Minds, etc).


The awards and accolades received were rightfully given, and the film still remains relevant and current today as it did when it was released.  The film is worthy to be remembered, and if you haven't given it a chance yet, you owe it to yourself to do so.  As always, feel free to use the following links to purchase your own copy on DVD or BluRay, or add the film to your Netflix list.