The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 3rd time

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards:

Best Picture (WON)

Best Director: Jonathan Demme (WON)

Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins (WON)

Best Actress: Jodie Foster (WON)

Best Adapted Screenplay (WON)

Best Editing

Best Sound

The Silence of the Lambs is the film I would recommend to anyone who hasn’t seen it (if such people still exist  ) or who wants to see again something good (thought I usually hate recommendations), because I really don’t know anyone who dislikes it. Hopkins’ performance, I guess, is considered iconic and it is a rare case when something so impactful in popular culture also gets love from the Academy.

The film works because all the elements work. The screenplay and the directing are strong enough, but it’s the chemistry of the two leads that make it a classic. When the storyline becomes improbable, like most procedurals, Foster and Hopkins keep it convincing, with some very ambitious performances. Hopkins gets plenty of freedom to play around and the camerawork is so helpful in giving him an extra edge on the creepiness. Rumor has it that Michelle Pfeiffer and Meg Ryan were the top 2 picks for the role of Clarice, but they turned it down and I sure am glad they did. The film would’ve had a hard time maintaining the level in the scenes without Hopkins, but Jodie Foster doesn’t disappoint, is as convincing as ever, and the camera loves her face.

I guess Jodie didn’t want to do a sequel? I dunno the story. I would’ve loved to have seen another one with these two (sorry, Julianne) reprising the roles. The film was just as entertaining as I remembered.

I give it: 9.5/10

IMDB LINK