The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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Director: Jonathan Demme

Writers: Ted Tally, based on the novel by Thomas Harris

Stars: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine, Scott Glenn, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker, Kasi Lemmons



Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins deliver amazing performances as, respectively, Clarice Starling, a young FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer called Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), and Hannibal Lector, an imprisoned killer whose psychiatric genius can provide valuable insights that may lead to Bill's capture.

 


Every element of this film is dead on.

 


Foster plays Clarice as sensitive and uncertain, yet brave, brilliant, and unwilling to succumb to her fears. 



Hopkins gives a performance of such power that the figure of Hannibal Lector immediately attained pop icon status.

 


Jonathan Demme's direction, incorporating numerous point-of-view shots, draws us right into the story and keeps the tension building.

 


Ted Tally's screenplay (from the Thomas Harris novel) cuts right to the essentials of the story and Howard Shore's score is atmospheric yet unobtrusive. 



This is an essential film for anyone who enjoys horror or suspense.











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