The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Drama/Horror/Mystery. Directed by Jonathan Demme. Starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Diane Baker, Kasi Lemmons, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Frankie Faison, Charles Napier, Danny Darst. Oscar winner: Best Picture

Synopsis: A young F.B.I. trainee gets into a psychological match with a jailed serial killer in order to get a profile on an active serial killer who has killed several young women and abducted the daughter of a U.S. Senator.

To me, its hard to look any top 10 movie list of all time and not see Silence of the Lambs on it. Seeing it in the theater all those years ago when I was still young and now, through the magic of DVD, being able to see some of the behind the scenes footage and interviews with some of the actors just makes it all the more amazing.

On the slim chance that you have not either seen it or have heard about the plot to this classic, F.B.I. trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster Inside Man) is recruited by her superior (Scott Glenn Codebreakers, Training Day) to interview the infamour cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins Proof)  in hopes that she might get some information that will help the F.B.I. in its hunt for active serial killer "Buffalo Bill"(Ted Levine The Hills Have Eyes).

The "relationship" between Lecter and Starling proves ultimately fruitful as the young trainee is able to unlock some of the hidden complexities of Lecter's insane mind and use them to aid in the hunt for Buffalo Bill. But Lecter also cleverly uses his knowledge of the acting serial killer to set the bed for his own escape.

To me, one of the most amazing things about this film is its ability to weave so many different genres, subgenres, and elements into the story. We have classic horror, with the most frightening things, as they alwasy are, being unseen or implied, There is suspense, mystery, and-yes-a touch of romance in a serial killer-FBI profiler kind of way. But, Demme didn't skimp on the action. No, not at all. I challenge almost anyone to look at the Lecter escape scene and not squirm just a little.

Most would say that the briliiance of Hopkins carries this flick and that's true...the way its written we have to fear Lecter.  But the performance of Foster cannot be overlooked, especially at a time when strong female leads in this type of film were even less prevalent than they are now. To boot, the supporting cast is awesome as well. Levine's performance as Buffalo Bill, while not one for the ages like Hopkins, is powerfully creep and he could carry a horror film on his own. Likewise, Brooke Smith (Iron Jawed Angels), Diane Baker, Frankie Faison, Danny Heald, and Kasi Lemmons (Candyman) also hit home runs with their limited screen time.

To me, the film has no flaws, other than it might be too creepy or violent for the fairer minded among us, but for anyone who actually watches the film...it just doesn't get any better.