The Silence of the Lambs
Movie renditions of novels are normally sad imitations, trying to fit all the action in the story into a two hour period. These screenwriters normally want to take all the characters, shove them into a film which would run around four to five hours if filmed in its entirety. As a result, these adapters are forced to cut scenes and sometimes whole chapters from the novel. Unfortunately, these writers don't seem to realize what the important parts are in a book, and what should be left out. Normally, a writer will cut out most of the character-developing scenes, along with the technical jargon which might confuse the average viewer. In defense of those average viewers, they are smarter than the writers who adapt the screenplays.
The Silence of the Lambs is a screenplay by Ted Tally, based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. I admit that I have never read the novel, but from watching this film, I don't know if I can. This movie is disturbing, violent, grizzly, gory, and very dark. Does that make it bad? No. In fact, quite the opposite. This is truly one of the best films of the decade. I have never seen a film like this, especially considering the subject matter. Since The Silence of the Lambs, I have seen numerous serial killer films (Seven comes to mind), but almost all of them are lacking in one aspect: heart. Heart? In a serial killer film? Well, I am not sure how this film did it, but amidst all the gruesome going-ons and discussions with Hannibal Lecter, a side of the serial killer genre is formed. Perhaps I should call it depth, or well-developed characters. But isn't that the definition of heart? Once we begin to care for these characters, and as we learn of their backgrounds, nothing can stop the emotional connection between us and Jodie Foster's character--in fact, the connection was so strong that audiences were literally yelling at the screen to warn our female protagonist of danger lurking in the dark.
The Silence of the Lambs begins its tale with a lone person running through a drill area. As this character climbs a rope and gets closer to the camera, we are introduced to Clarice Starling (Foster), an above-average student in the FBI program. Interrupted during her practice, she is given an assignment from Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) to question a felon in jail--Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). "Hannibal the Cannibal," she replies. Clarice is told to get inside the mind of Dr. Lecter, and find out what he knows about another serial killer, whose body count is steadily rising. Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) likes to get big women and take their skin (rightfully giving him the name Buffalo Bill).
The first shot of Hannibal Lecter is one of pure evil. Standing with his arms at his side, looking right at Clarice as she walks in front of his cell, we realize that he is not only anticipating her arrival, but standing... at rest. The confrontations between Clarice and Dr. Lecter are some of the most powerful scenes in recent memory. His probing words delve into her mind, and cause her discomfort. However, she is there to find out what he knows, and so she deals with it. This one scene could have run on the entire length of the film, and I would have been completely satisfied. The emotional connection between these two characters is almost palpable, something lacking in almost every single film produced these days. The conversation consists of both characters trying to get into the other's mind. This discussion isn't merely to move the plot forward, but instead sidetracks into an entirely different subplot, giving the film its name.
The main plot is the investigation into Buffalo Bill, but more interesting than this was all the subplots which are developed extremely well. Obviously we will care for Clarice, but unusually we find ourselves liking Dr. Lecter, a cannibal with a brilliant mind. Being a psychologist, Dr. Lecter knows more about the human mind than anyone. His questions towards Clarice are disturbing not only for her, but for us, the viewers. We sense the tension and we feel uncomfortable. "Quid pro quo," Lecter tells her, as they begin a collective sharing--her inner most and saddest secrets, for his knowledge of Buffalo Bill. Her story is most intriguing, but as she explains further, the movie is given more depth, with more layers to be revealed later on. The metaphorical message of the lambs is truly impressive, something I have yet to see in another film of this genre. Her childhood is painfully revealed, and Lecter absorbs everything, possibly enjoying her uneasiness. Lecter gives her information, and names.
The Silence of the Lambs is a very involving film. It begins slowly, and very gradually picks up speed. By the third act, anyone watching the film is on the verge of having a mental breakdown, which is when the story begins to unfold and resolve itself. And yet, the film is not over. Even when the movie fades to black, we know it isn't over. Lecter's final line assures this, and we leave the film with mixed feelings: a state of depression, along with a sense of joy. The joy comes from the film experience itself. Director Jonathan Demme uses many techniques to increase the enjoyment of the film, but it is the screenplay which provides the motherload. Ted Tally's rendition is extremely impressive, especially with the use of surprise. In the third act, Clarice's final encounter with Buffalo Bill is one of pure tension. Her arrival not only surprised me, but made me shriek out loud in fear. I rarely talk to the screen (unless it is a very bad film), but what makes this so nerve-racking is the realization that every character is intelligent. You never doubt any of their motives for one second, as all they all react the same way anyone else would in that same situation.
The acting of The Silence of the Lambs is some of the best of 1991. In fact, according to the Academy, it was the best. Jodie Foster picked up an Oscar for her portrayal which relied on her reactions to the situations she is put in. As an avid fan of Foster, my perception of her as Foster playing a character was put on hold throughout the entire film. I believed that she was the character. Her slight southern accent is perfect, and her reactions are almost too genuine to believe they are fake. Anthony Hopkins also picked up an Oscar as he creates one of the best villains of any movie ever made. Hopkins' Lecter is intelligent, dangerous, and insane (though he would never say so). Hopkins is a masterful actor, and has received many Oscar nominations, but this is by far his best performance to date. Kasi Lemmons (Candyman) has a small role, but not underwritten (as most smaller roles are). Her performance also adds to the character, giving the film another level to work on. Lawrence T. Wrentz gives a very good performance as Agent Burroughs. His performance is undermined by the two leads, but everyone's is in this film. Scott Glenn gives a terrific performance as Jack Crawford, combining hope and despair at the same time. Brooke Smith gives a remarkable performance as one of the kidnapped victims. Even when she is trapped in a small well, she still tries to think things through. And of course, Ted Levine as Buffalo Bill. It's no surprise that he is the killer (we know early on in the film), but his portrayal is wonderfully acted.
Despite all the techincal detail involved in the film, the story is the highlight (along with the performances). Were it not for the layered story, this film would have just been another notch on the serial killer genre. But given the depth of the subplots, we are overwhelmed by how much there is to take in. This brings up one question: what is the main point of the story? Is it the investigation of Buffalo Bill, or is it something more? Perhaps the film is about Hannibal Lecter's evil nature? Yes, but no. The main point of The Silence of the Lambs (very biased) is dealing with a past we do not want to deal with. Clarice is forced by Lecter to reveal a past which she has long since buried under work and school. The silence of the lambs... a purely symbolic phrase, which sums up the entire movie as a whole. What are the lambs? It depends on how you look at it. If you look at it straight on, the meaning is quite evident. But maybe there is another side to the symbolic use of lambs. Well, that is up for the viewer to decide for themselves.
The Silence of the Lambs is rated R for strong, graphic violence, strong language, nudity, and terror. It has been a long time since I have seen such an evil presence on screen as Hopkins'... seems almost too real. Be forewarned: do not watch this film if you want a good night's sleep. It won't come to pass.