Das Schweigen der Lämmer (1991)

Das Schweigen der Lämmer: Directed by Jonathan Demme. With Jodie Foster, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons, Lawrence T. Wrentz. A young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.

“Sweeping all five major Academy Awards (u0026quot;Oscarsu0026quot; for Best Movie, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay) is quite an accomplishment. Doing it nearly a year after a film was released is a miracle considering the notoriously short attention span of Oscar voters. It is a powerful example of how great a movie can be when superb writers, directors, actors, and others work at the top of their craft.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e`Silence of the Lambsu0026#39; is the story of a young FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) who is summoned to help find one serial killer called `Buffalo Bill.u0026#39; by interviewing another. Fosteru0026#39;s performance is absolutely brilliant. While Anthony Hopkins receives most of the (well-deserved) praise for his chilling portrayal of incarcerated serial killer `Hannibal ‘the Cannibalu0026#39; Lectoru0026#39;, it is Fosteru0026#39;s performance that holds the movie together. The fear she shows just behind her eyes makes Clariceu0026#39;s outward courage all the more interesting and vulnerable. This is the perfect way to play the part because it explains Lectoru0026#39;s interest in Clarice. Her only bargaining chip in getting Lectoru0026#39;s help is to let him `feedu0026#39; 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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDirector Jonathan Demme is masterful. There is one scene late in the movie that I will not spoil. It is one of the most simply brilliant scenes ever staged in a movie. I donu0026#39;t know if all the credit goes to Demme or the writers, but there is a moment in the film where the suspense builds beautifully to a 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 revealed (hint: it involves a doorbell) it is shocking and induced a collective gasp from the audience I saw it with at the theatre. It set the stage for an edge-of-your seat climax.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDo not miss this movie.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie is incredibly suspenseful and an absolute must see.”