OOur Flick of the Week is the highly touted horror film ”The Silence of the Lambs,” which has been billed as one of the most frightening, depraved films ever made. Would that it were so.
Instead, this is a case of much ado about nothing. Jonathan Demme, one of our most inventive directors, has made a grab for the money in filming this story of the attempt by an FBI trainee (Jodie Foster) to catch a serial killer by subscribing to the theory that it takes one to know one.
Foster, smartly following her victim role in ”The Accused” with a heroic role here, interviews the terrible killer Dr. Hannibal ”The Cannibal” Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in an effort to catch a freak nicknamed ”Buffalo Bill” who likes to skin women.
Dr. Lecter is no Boy Scout by comparison; he likes to eat the body parts of his victims. And right now you are probably thinking, ”Maybe I`ll go see
`Home Alone` again.” Smart move.
Or you could take a chance and screen on home video ”Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” which was a fascinating, illuminating, deadpan portrait of the same lethal subject. Instead, director Demme superheats ”The Silence of the Lambs” to the point of silliness, in terms of both gross behavior and a pulsating soundtrack. The conclusion of the film is nothing more than a grisly version of every mad-slasher picture you`ve ever missed. Jodie`s in trouble. Shoot, Jodie, shoot.
Fans of this film have weighed in with the comment that it illuminates the dark side of man. Not for me. ”The Silence of the Lambs” romanticizes the dark side. Serial killers are hardly glamorous psychiatrists like Dr. Lecter, who is to be feared, Foster is told by her boss, because he can devour your mind just by talking to you. Any 10-second video image of Charles Manson is more frightening than what goes on here, as Lecter is interviewed behind a specially built glass prison wall-specially built for a movie, that is.
Foster`s character, who is appealing, is dwarfed by the monsters she is after. I`d rather see her work on another case.
”The Silence of the Lambs” is playing at the 900 N. Michigan, Webster Place and outlying theaters. Rated R. (STAR)(STAR)
Flicks Picks guide
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New this week
– THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (900 N. Michigan, Webster Place and outlying). This week`s Flick of the Week. See above. Rated R. (STAR)(STAR)
![The Arlington Heights Village Board granted developers of the planned Arlington 425 project in downtown Arlington Heights another construction-related extension – making this at least the second one – even as financing for the work has still not been secured. The mixed-use development, planned for 225 W. Campbell St., has been in the works for five years. “We’re looking to get it going,” Stephen Messutta, general counsel for Norwood Builders of Park Ridge, told the board at the April 15 meeting. The developer requested a zoning extension for the proposed redevelopment on the longtime empty land parcel located just steps […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2023/05/09/E6SSECNLL5F4JLRU4GG4CNMQ2A.jpg?w=535 "The Arlington Heights Village Board granted developers of the planned Arlington 425 project in downtown Arlington Heights another construction-related extension – making this at least the second one – even as financing for the work has still not been secured. The mixed-use development, planned for 225 W. Campbell St., has been in the works for five years. “We’re looking to get it going,” Stephen Messutta, general counsel for Norwood Builders of Park Ridge, told the board at the April 15 meeting. The developer requested a zoning extension for the proposed redevelopment on the longtime empty land parcel located just steps […]")
