The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Review

Written by: Gardenofstone10   

This film will always, always be on that short list of horror movies accepted and loved by an audience that goes very far away from the horror community. 

Quick plot:

The movie follows one big plot and one sub plot.  Both involve Clarice Starling.  The first is that she is in FBI training to be an agent and put on the case of Buffalo Bill...the man who skins his victims and leaves bugs in their throats.  The other is a case study of Hannibal Lecter, a psychologist in maximum security prison for.....eating his patients.  Clarice goes to Hannibal for assistance on Buffalo Bill (mind of a serial killer) and learns a lot about herself and the Dr. 

Finally able to track down Buffalo Bill, Clarice needs to put her dramas on hold as she has the fight of her life with our demented killer. 

This movie was virtually inspired by real life cannibal Ed Gein.  With that came a very gruesome movie with decapitated heads and a fair amount of gore. 

What makes this movie so great, in my own opinion is the fact that at the same time being a very gross horror movie on almost the same level as Cannibal Holocaust, it has GREAT actors taking a huge risk.  So put prestigious actor Anthony Hopkins in charge and now on top of a grotesque horror movie, we have a drama, dark comedy, crime and almost romance movie.  The actors and actresses squeezed their all to make this movie their cream of the crop.  Not many actors can say that about a horror movie they did. 

Also with this movie is that it's timeless.  Although set in the early 90s, the dialog, clothing and filming style didn't say early 90s.  If I watched it right now, it would look like any other movie that just came out.  Demme did a great job building that setting. 

Last but not least, this movie is a fantastic adaptation of the book by Thomas Harris.  Unlike all the other Hannibal movies, this one was on its mark.  There's something for everyone in this movie and I really hope that my kids and their kids will love this just as much as I do.  This movie will never be forgotten.  Peace.