One of the reasons I think Silence of the Lambs is such a fascinating film is that it breaks so many expectations and rules:
First, it sets traditional American images - the U.S. flag, eagles - within a dark and twisted world where many of the characters we meet and events that unfold are the exact opposite of the wholesome, patriotic view of Americans and American culture that many (or most) Hollywood movies present.
Second, it is a thriller/action movie with almost no action sequences. Unless you count Hannibal Lecter's escape from the Memphis prison or the scene near the end of the movie where Clarice feels her way through the darkened basement as Buffalo Bill hunts her, almost everything we see shows the anticipation of or build-up to an event rather than the event itself. It may not be the "scariest" movie ever, but I think it is definitely one of the creepiest.
Third, few of the main characters of the movie are who they appear to be. We (or at least I) want to hate Hannibal Lecter - he is clearly responsible for some horrible and violent deeds. But he is also perhaps the only character in the movie (other than Ardelia, Clarice's roommate) who never lies to Clarice, who treats her with respect, and who takes her seriously as a person and as a professional FBI agent. Along the same lines, Clarice Starling - clearly the hero of the movie, the one character we are supposed to "root for," and a character that I greatly admire - is far from perfect. She is impulsive, stubborn, and proud. She is also dishonest - e.g. when she lies to Lecter about the prison transfer agreement. She has trouble trusting people (although, the film seems to suggest, she has good reason for this), and she put herself and others in harm's way by refusing help and trying to do everything on her own.
Do you agree with me? Do you think Silence of the Lambs is one of the most interesting, thought-provoking, and complicated horror movies in the history of cinema, or did you mostly just think the movie was violent and gross? Using the 'Comment' function on this post, please write a complete paragraph of at least 3-5 sentences (although you might need to write a bit more) explaining to a friend 1) whether he/she should watch Silence of the Lambs, and 2) why. Please be truthful, and do not be afraid if your answer to question #1 is no. Your classmates and I are interested in reading your honest opinion. There is no such thing as a "wrong" answer!
Finally, just in case we don't get a chance to watch it in class on Wednesday, I wanted to post a link to that Smithsonian TV program/documentary that I was talking about in class earlier today. Click here to learn about the real-life criminals and FBI agents that inspired the story Silence of the Lambs.
I would like recomment this movie to my friend, not only I like horror movie, but also this is a classic American movie. It told me some culture about U.S, such as F.B.I. I think the best part is plot, especially Hannibal Lecter how to help Clarice analyse Bill, and Hannibal how to escape. In addition, it teach me a lot, like I know when we have some problem, even though that is horrible thing, it will be all right, we need brave and purpose to do it. So I really enjoy watch this movie during class.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I hate hall's wifi, that is my third time wrote my comment.
ReplyDeleteThis movie gives me a good first impression that make me wanna finish the movive. This movies story is kidda mysteriious and puzzled. I like these kindda movie cuz it catches my attention to fucus in the movie. It makes me wanna think wat would happen next.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Greer's opinion. It is an impressive movie and everything was great. I would like to pay my praise. However, unfortunately I do not really like to watch horror movie because I'm scared. When I watched Resident Evil, I had suffered from nightmare about zombie for a year. That was the most horrible movie I've ever watched. After that I have not enjoyed horror movie. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteI recommand my friend who love to watch the mysterious movie, like me. I will tell then that this movie has many scene that would make us figure out and think what is going to happened next.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I really think that it one of the best horror movies in the history of cinema. It was my second time of watching it and I found more interesting moments. Hannibal Lecter is a very interesting and clever person although his manic tendencies.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Greer's opinion. Unfortunately, I didn't watch the beginning of movie. However, when I watched rest of them. I was impressed about Lecter's acting. Also, story was great. I am going to watch this movie again.
ReplyDeleteactually, i did not understand the story exactly, so i watched it again because i thought there is some important message from this movie. anyway, i agree with Greer. when i watched it again, i found that Greer mentioned the symbol of America from flag and eagle and that completely understood the meaning of Moth, Mofet and others. On the other hand, i am wondering why Hollywood movie always show America's flag on movies because it naturally make people think that the USA is the hero in the world...
ReplyDeleteanyhow, i would say that it is the best thriller movie i have watched in that it makes audience get tense thr and relax through the movie. Finally, if i meet friends who have not watched this movie, i will recommend it.
I think I will recommend the movie to others didn't watch it. First, because the silences of the Lambs got a lot of award, it is very famous in America, I think it can help us know about some culture and history from the movie. Secondly, I think the story is very good. At begining, I thought maybe the "Buffalo Bill" is the main point of this movie, but in the end, I recognized that Hannibal Lecter is the most important character in this movie. That is suprised me. Anyway, I like the movie although it conclude bloody scenes.
ReplyDeletei like this movie, because this plot makes me exciting, and interseting. this is a classical moie that everybody knows,so why don you watch this movie.on the other hand, this movie is bloody that makes many body scared, that makes people pay more attention n it. so i introduce you to watch this .
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your great ideas, guys (male + female American Culture students)! Sun, I think you bring up an interesting point about how often "American" images like flags, eagles, etc can appear in American films.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, Sun's point made me think about some questions I would like everyone else who has commented on this blog post to think about (and try to answer):
In Silence of the Lambs, do you think that these typical American images have the same effect as in other Hollywood films (for example, to show U.S. heroism, to emphasize the pride many American people have in themselves and their country, etc)? Or do you think that in Silence of the Lambs these images are used in a different way?
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ReplyDeleteSort of Yes, I think. That is because Clarice is a well-trained FBI agent, it seems that shows US goverment power. As most US films do that, government solve the problem. In my culture(I'm not sure whether other Koreans agree or not), we focus more on the human nature rather than government. Sometimes we feel more comfortable when a poor, not-educated, or minor person became a hero. I don't want to against to the director, but if I was the director, I might to make it a single-mom who lost child contribute to catch the killer. Is there anyone who thinks that the poor mom was motivated enough?
ReplyDeleteActually I don't like horror movie at all, but SOL showed me that horror movie can be very interesting. I like it because there not so much violence and it's good. When I started watch this movie I really wanted to know what will heppen. I will recomend this movie to my friend.
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