For many years I refused to see this film, as some friend had told me about the cannibalistic scenes.
At the same time I received many laudatory comments about the movie.
Finally I was able to overcome my repugnance and give a sight to this opus.
I wasn't disappointed; "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) is a great suspense film that keeps the viewers eating their nails from the very start.
The story chronicles the strange relationship between young Special Agent Clarence Starling and jailed mad genius Dr. Hannibal "Cannibal" Lecter.
Dr. Lecter gives Sterling clues to discover who is another demented serial criminal known as "Buffalo Bill" who has just kidnapped a Senator's daughter.
The film follows the tortuous puzzle constructed by Hannibal and how Clarence is able to clear it up step by step paying the cost imposed by the psycho.
Awarded with five Oscar, including Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director and nominated for two more, "The Silence" is an unforgettable experience.
Judy Foster as Agent Sterling confirms all her artistically virtues shown since she was a teenager in "Taxi Driver" (1976), her first Oscar nomination, thru "The Accused" (1988), her first Oscar award, the present film and finally, by the moment, "Nell" (1994).
The other Oscar Monster is Anthony Hopkins, winner of one for this movie and nominated three more times: "The Remains of the Day" (1994), "Nixon" (1995) and "Amistad" (1997). He fleshes Dr. Lecter with such sinister accuracy that his memory still haunts me.
IMHO this is the best film directed by Jonathan Demme, closely followed by "Philadelphia" (1993), light year away in quality from more recent "The Manchurian Candidate".
This film is one of the best thrillers I have ever seen! I will recommend it only for adult audiences due to very violent scenes.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.