In this week's installment of #RookieReviews, I am tackling 1992 Best Picture winner "Silence of the Lambs."
Before you continue, if you are new to #RookieReviews, read about this project here. In a nutshell, I am the producer of KSAT 12's GMSA @ 9 and it was recently discovered that I have never seen dozens of classic movies over the last 30 years. So Mark Austin, Leslie Mouton and our news director, Bernice Kearney Bonner, have charged me with the task of watching movies over the weekends to catch up with society.
Back to Silence of the Lambs.
*gulp*
I went into this movie expecting the most terrifying movie I had seen yet — a true horror flick. There are people who will probably call it that, but it wasn't scary to me. Weird and creepy? Yes, absolutely.
I first loved Jodie Foster's character, Clarice Starling, and her identity as a woman at the top of her male-dominated field. She was smart and independent but did so knowing exactly when to ask for help or share what she knew. I wouldn't call Starling the strongest female character ever, but she won best actress for the role, so what do I know.
I found weird, but later came to like, the value the FBI has in Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins. He is a man who has committed heinous crimes and is a threat to society, but the FBI knows he is an asset. They have Agent Starling meet with him, in hopes he can help them find a serial killer, named BUffalo Bill, targeting women. I found that dynamic interesting and one of the things that left me on edge the most — will this be the moment Dr. Lecter back-stabs Clarice? Yet, he never let her down or purposely led her astray.
The movie was not as bloody or gory as I expected, especially considering it is a movie involving serial killers and psych prisoners.
Buffalo Bill was a creep, to say the least. I will probably never talk to a stranger near my apartment after dark ever again. Thanks, Hollywood! I read a great Rolling Stone article about the movie at it's 25 year mark about his character specifically. There's a creepy note in there about how Brooke Smith, who played the captured Catherine Martin held by Bill, prepared for the role.
Leslie asked me about the ending and how I liked it. It was good, I like that line "I'm having an old friend for dinner." It was subtle but creepy and the movie ended as Dr. Lecter followed said friend, which I won't give away. I really think I liked the movie best once he was moved to Memphis. That's when it picked up pace and intensity. Dr. Lecter is quite the card.
How many times have I used creepy in this review?
All in all, I liked the movie. I didn't love it like I loved Shawshank. It's not necessarily my cup of tea, but again, I didn't hate it. I'd watch it if it was on cable but I wouldn't buy the DVD for my personal collection.
Next up:
I am in the middle of Schindler's List and after that, I am watching Saving Private Ryan.
If you have a favorite movie that are sure everyone in their right mind has seen, I probably haven't! So shoot me your suggestions at @ellierosetx on Twitter or to my Facebook page.
Previous review: