'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)
Director: Jonathon Demme
Writer: Ted Tally and Thomas Harris (novel)
Release Date: 31st May 1991
Hot Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥
Jonathon Demme's 1991 adaptation of Thomas Harris' 'Silence of The Lambs' is more divisive in subject matter than critical recognition. Of the latter, the film is rightly renowned as a classic for its intense action, pulsive pacing and altogether brilliant acting. To focus on the film's acting, its two lead roles are fully embodied by Jodie Foster (playing Clarice Starling) and Anthony Hopkins as the disturbingly charming, Hannibal Lecter. The relationship formed by these two figures is striking for its ability to verbally match the physical thrills of the film. From Hopkins authoritative withdrawal of information to Foster's tentative engagement with the serial killer, the film is superbly driven to the chaos of its conclusion with style. Ted Tally's screenplay is also to thank for the film's pervasive journey into the mind of a psychopath as, much like Starling herself, our sympathies are shifting right up until the final shot.
'Hannibal' (2001)
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Steven Zaillian, David Mamet and Thomas Harris (novel)
Release Date: 16th February 2001
Hot Rating: 💥💥
The big screen return of serial killer Hannibal Lecter is ironically overwhelmed with too much grotesque imagery to warrant the same praise of its predecessor, 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991). This downfall of the film is evoked through scenes of gory violence that distract from the essence of Lecter's methodical mindset. These moments are compiled of laborious pacing and an abundance of close-ups and usually result in alienating onlookers from the supposed tension of the narrative. Furthermore, the bombastic character of Mason Verger, despite being valiantly acted by a disguised Gary Oldman, is more deviant than evil and further distracts from the entirety of the film's journey. This mismatch between acting and presentation is also unfortunately evident in Anthony Hopkins, as his portrayal of the cannibal feels lost in the mist of a TV detective drama opposed to being at all as disturbing as 'The Silence of the Lambs'.
'Red Dragon' (2002)
Director: Brett Ratner
Writer: Ted Tally (screenplay) and Thomas Harris (novel)
Release Date: 11th October 2002
Hot Rating: 💥💥💥
In the final instalment of the Hannibal Lecter trilogy, the devious serial killer has a partial return to form, as we follow a sub origin story of his involvement with detective Will Graham (Edward Norton) in the search for a serial killer called The Toothfairy (Ralph Fiennes). One improved quality of the franchise is its acting quality, with all lead roles providing integrity and sincerity to their respected parts. These payoffs are particularly evident in the acting of Fiennes, as his physical and vocal transformation signify his full involvement with his characters twisted psychology. Indeed, the origin of this villainous character is another winning element of the film, as Ratner succeeds in twisting our empathies through Francis' disturbed past. Unfortunately, this aspect is overwhelmed by the otherwise dull presentation of some of the film's other scenes, a feature which highlights the film's occasional tendency to reduce into a bog-standard thriller.
Director: Jonathon Demme
Writer: Ted Tally and Thomas Harris (novel)
Release Date: 31st May 1991
Hot Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥
Jonathon Demme's 1991 adaptation of Thomas Harris' 'Silence of The Lambs' is more divisive in subject matter than critical recognition. Of the latter, the film is rightly renowned as a classic for its intense action, pulsive pacing and altogether brilliant acting. To focus on the film's acting, its two lead roles are fully embodied by Jodie Foster (playing Clarice Starling) and Anthony Hopkins as the disturbingly charming, Hannibal Lecter. The relationship formed by these two figures is striking for its ability to verbally match the physical thrills of the film. From Hopkins authoritative withdrawal of information to Foster's tentative engagement with the serial killer, the film is superbly driven to the chaos of its conclusion with style. Ted Tally's screenplay is also to thank for the film's pervasive journey into the mind of a psychopath as, much like Starling herself, our sympathies are shifting right up until the final shot.
'Hannibal' (2001)
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Steven Zaillian, David Mamet and Thomas Harris (novel)
Release Date: 16th February 2001
Hot Rating: 💥💥
The big screen return of serial killer Hannibal Lecter is ironically overwhelmed with too much grotesque imagery to warrant the same praise of its predecessor, 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991). This downfall of the film is evoked through scenes of gory violence that distract from the essence of Lecter's methodical mindset. These moments are compiled of laborious pacing and an abundance of close-ups and usually result in alienating onlookers from the supposed tension of the narrative. Furthermore, the bombastic character of Mason Verger, despite being valiantly acted by a disguised Gary Oldman, is more deviant than evil and further distracts from the entirety of the film's journey. This mismatch between acting and presentation is also unfortunately evident in Anthony Hopkins, as his portrayal of the cannibal feels lost in the mist of a TV detective drama opposed to being at all as disturbing as 'The Silence of the Lambs'.
'Red Dragon' (2002)
Director: Brett Ratner
Writer: Ted Tally (screenplay) and Thomas Harris (novel)
Release Date: 11th October 2002
Hot Rating: 💥💥💥
In the final instalment of the Hannibal Lecter trilogy, the devious serial killer has a partial return to form, as we follow a sub origin story of his involvement with detective Will Graham (Edward Norton) in the search for a serial killer called The Toothfairy (Ralph Fiennes). One improved quality of the franchise is its acting quality, with all lead roles providing integrity and sincerity to their respected parts. These payoffs are particularly evident in the acting of Fiennes, as his physical and vocal transformation signify his full involvement with his characters twisted psychology. Indeed, the origin of this villainous character is another winning element of the film, as Ratner succeeds in twisting our empathies through Francis' disturbed past. Unfortunately, this aspect is overwhelmed by the otherwise dull presentation of some of the film's other scenes, a feature which highlights the film's occasional tendency to reduce into a bog-standard thriller.
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| Anthony Hopkins as 'Hannibal Lecter' in 'Red Dragon' (2002). Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1880399/mediaviewer/rm3800441600 |
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