Silence of the Lambs (1991)

- written August 2001

Clarice Starling is a junior FBI agent looking for a step up in the world in Jack Crawford’s wings, she finds a goal. See if renowned serial killer and genius knows anything that can help them track down a deadlier killer. But to do this job, Clarice ends up with Hannibal Lecter in her head and more dead bodies in the streets. Clarice must find the killer before a U.S. Senator’s daughter will be the next victim.           Overall: We’ve all the seen the movie but have we all read the book? Here’s the review on the book. The book clearly isn’t as good as the film – the film is more concise, narrower and keeps the pace going. The book drifts off to address more of Krendler (FBI Chief), the insect guys, Crawford’s wife and even Benjamin Raspail. The book makes it quite clear that Lecter knew who Jame Gumb was and decided to play with the FBI for the info. Meanwhile, Clarice spends an inordinate amount of time finding the moth’s identity which doesn’t even appear to get anyone closer to the truth. And the book really focuses on the lost studying that Clarice suffers from because of the investigations and the effect on her classes. See why the film is more concise? Thomas Harris follow-up book, "Hannibal," stays on the plotlines of Ardelia, Krendler's love/hate for Clarice and the like while this film ignored all that in the first place...it is all basically fluff. I think the film deserves the award (Oscar for Best Picture) even more after reading the book and it’s extra verbiage.           Comparison: Resurrection meets Alcatraz

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