Rating of
4/4
Quid pro quo. I tell you things, you tell me thing
mdtinney - wrote on 05/22/09
The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 psychological horror thriller directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn and Ted Levine. It is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, his second to feature Dr. Hannibal Lecter, brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. In the film, Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee, seeks the advice of the imprisoned Lecter on catching a serial killer known only as "Buffalo Bill". The film won the top five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Screenplay. The Silence of the Lambs is only the third (and most recent) film to win the five most prestigious Academy Awards (after It Happened One Night, 1934 and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 1975).
Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster gained overwhelming acclaim with their portrayals of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling, even though Hopkins' screen time in the entire film is just over 16 minutes. Their respective portrayals won both of them Academy Awards in 1992, and Hopkins' portrayal, as of 2009, remains the shortest lead role ever to win an Oscar. One tidbit many dont know is that Michelle Pfeiffer was initially offered the role of Clarice Starling, but turned it down. She has said about her rejection of the part, "that was a difficult decision, but I got nervous about the subject matter. An edge of your seat thriller that is definitely a must see and land at #14 on my Top Movie List.
