Nerdy Up North Podcast
The setup
An ambitious young FBI trainee seeks the help of imprisoned killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another dangerous murderer known as Buffalo Bill.
The Silence of the Lambs really gets under my skin. Even though most of the movie is just two people in a room talking its jst so creepy and intense. The whole thing is just a mind game with a psychopath and its so thrilling.
Jodie Foster as Clarice never comes across like she has everything under control. She is smart and obviously good at what she does but she is clearly out of her depth, but who wouldn't be? She's not a hero who can stay calm like those cool guys who don't look at explosions. She's a completely normal person and it feels entirely real, but then again if Sir Anthony Hopkins was standing opposite me with that insane look on his face telling me he ate someones liver, I don't think it would take much for me to look like i was scared and uncomfortable either.
Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter manages to be terrifying while barely doing anything. He is way too calm. He watches people, listens to every word they say and seems to have them figured out before they’ve even finished talking. The scenes between him and Clarice feels like a psychological fight. Neither of them wants to give way but Hannibal Lecter always feels like he is one step ahead.
Hannibal isn't even the threat Clarice is chasing. Buffalo Bill is a completely different kettle of fish. He's chaotic, disturbing and unpredictable while Lecter is controlled and intelligent. Having those two contrasts of danger in the film makes the whole thing even more unsettling.
It also knows when to slow down, It does't constantly throw violence or horror at you. Most of the tension comes from waiting for something to happen or knowing Clarice is walking into a situation she might not be ready for. By the time it culminates the tension is ridiculous because the film has spent ages making you care about her.
This is one of those films where almost everything works. The acting is incredible, the atmosphere never lets up and It manages to be disturbing without relying on gore or cheap scares. More than anything it understands that sometimes the scariest thing is someones mind
Negatives
there are infinitely less lambs in this movie than i expected
NCN Score
Our final score for The Silence of the Lambs.
