MANILA, Philippines - MGM’s 1991 Psychological thriller The Silence of the Lambs is by far one of the best movies ever made. It is based on Thomas Harris’ novel of the same name, I remember watching this so many times that our old VHS copy of it got worn out. When I was first employed, I made sure this is one of the few things I needed to buy on DVD. Sensible? Perhaps not, but to be honest no matter if I could talk to you in three weeks straight could I possibly describe even to a small degree how I loved this film. Even the Academy seems to agree as the movie swept all five major Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Director (Jonathan Demme) and Best Screenplay (Ted Tally), which is truly a remarkable achievement in filmmaking considering that only three other films have made it, the last being One Who Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975 and It Happened One Night in 1934.

Even the highly prestigious American Film Institute selected this movie as one of the greatest in cinema history. It is an example of how great a movie can be when superb writers, directors, actors and others work at the top of their craft. It’s my perennial movie that if there’s nothing good to watch on TV I usually find myself popping it to our player, with snacks and soda on hand.

There are so many layers to this movie that it’s hard to know where to start. Simply put, it is the most terrifying movie ever (even after so many repeated viewings), the horror of knowing that there are people like Buffalo Bill in the world as well as Dr. Lecter. The fact that the lead is a woman gives it a twist, as we see Clarice living in a man’s world, braving the elements, but at the same time she is more vulnerable to fear and harm. At the heart of the film are the confrontations between Hopkins and Foster. The chemistry is so intense as they play a complicated chess match of words, which results in some of the greatest footage ever captured on film. Most memorable is probably Hopkins’ chilling portrayal of incarcerated serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, also known as “Hannibal the Cannibal” in spite of the fact he has approximately 17 minutes of time in the film. His delivers a performance that will at once make you shiver and laugh. He embodies a figure that is elegant, depraved, and fascinating; his role as Lecter is legendary.

The first time we see his character is one of the creepiest moments I have seen in modern movies, which is almost strange since his character is in a prison cell at that time. He is visited by Clarice Starling (Foster), a young woman who is still in training at the academy to become an FBI Agent, is sent by FBI-man Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) who is on the case of Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), another mass murderer who skins his young female victims. Crawford thinks Lecter can help with the case and uses Starling to manipulate the smart Lecter, who was a psychiatrist who ate his victims. Her only bargaining chip in getting Lecter’s help is to let him “feed” (so to speak) on her innermost secrets and fears in exchange for his brilliant insights into the psychotic mind. The title of the movie comes from these exchanges and is very poignant. Slowly she comes closer to catch Buffalo Bill.

Foster’s performance is also absolutely brilliant. The fear she shows just behind her eyes makes Clarice’s outward courage all the more interesting and vulnerable. This is the perfect way to play the part because it explains Lecter’s interest in Clarice.

Also worthy of praise is the director himself, Jonathan Demme, who is simply masterful; as there are two scenes late in the movie which he executed brilliantly, making it one of the best scenes ever staged in a movie. I don’t know if all the credit goes to Demme or the writers, but there is this one moment in the film where the suspense builds beautifully to what seems to be a common movie scene. However, through skillful timing of the direction, the audiences’ assumptions are used against them and when the truth is finally revealed it is shocking and induced a collective gasp from the audience (including yours truly). It sets the stage for an edge-of-your seat climax.

The psyche of serial killers has been something we’ve wanted to understand for a long time, and here we catch a glimpse. Fictional or not, it’s fascinating, it’s also disturbing, but that’s good because since there are times where I found Lecter likeable and I need to be reminded why he is so evil. Lecter and Buffalo Bill are both killers and it so happens one has just more charm. Both create a tense-filled and sometimes scary movie that leaves an impact on all who see it. It’s got some blood. But, fortunately, it isn’t as gory as it could have been which I greatly appreciated. This is a film that will wrap itself around you and you will likely never be able to shake some of the key elements off.

I love Silence of the Lambs and I recommend it to anyone for repeat viewing. It’s creepy and exciting. Trust me, you’ll love it.

“I do wish we could chat longer, but, I’m having an old friend for dinner” — Hannibal Lecter

(The author, 28, works in a call center and does freelance writing in his spare time. His hobbies are collecting novels and films, and listening to music.)

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