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Horrorphile - April 2007

Hannibal

April 24th 2007 04:41
Hannibal movie poster art
Jonathon Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs (1991) was one of the better horror films of the 90s, even if it was a sequel. Michael Mann had tackled Thomas Harris’s Red Dragon, the first novel to deal with the character of Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter, and filmed it as Manhunter (1986). Both films have since garnered respective cult followings.

Ridley Scott’s Hannibal (2001) picks up the scent ten years after the events of Silence of the Lambs. Hannibal Lecter has been in hiding having escaped further incarceration, and is living incognito amidst the classical art and culture of Florence, Italy, where he indulges as an art scholar vying for a coveted role as museum curator. But he is waiting, oh, so patiently for a familiar deep roller to fly back into his life, a certain straight arrow Starling.

Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Jodie Foster refused to return as FBI agent Clarice Starling. She and director Demme had problems with the screenplay’s dénouement. After Demme and Foster left, Scott was hired and Julianne Moore was brought in to play the role. She does alright (she bet out Hilary Swank, Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett), but Foster’s indelible Oscar-winning performance hangs around her. Anthony Hopkins is Hannibal Lecter, even though Brian Cox’s performance was strong in Manhunter, Hopkins brings a chilling intelligence to the character that out-dark-shines Cox in diabolical charm.

Gary Oldman as Mason Verger
Lecter’s fourth victim, the stinking rich Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), whom survived, but with appalling injuries (Lector drugged him and convinced him it would be a great idea to carve his face apart and feed his own flesh to his dogs, then broke his neck). The special effects makeup - supervised by veteran Greg Cannom - which layers Oldman’s face allowing his usual character acting brilliance to seeth underneath, combines to make Verger one most memorably grotesque individual. Verger is hell-bent on the most exquisitely disgusting revenge and has the clout and money to make it happen.

Ray Liotta as Paul Krendler has his brains picked by Agent Starling
Meanwhile Paul Krendler (Ray Liotta) an FBI official who has malicious designs on Starling is creating trouble for her, especially since a sting operation she was supervising went pear-shaped resulting in the death of an agent. In Florence Inspector Pazzi (Giancarlo Giannini), has discovered a huge reward is being offered for the man he has secretly identified as Lecter. He orchestrates getting Lector’s fingerprints to prove it and secure the money. A gypsy pickpocket dies as a result.

Everything eventually collides culminating in an infamous scene of cannibalism. It was the graphic nature of this scene which resulted in Hannibal having its Australian and German censorship ratings changed (from children under 15-16 to be accompanied by an adult increased to a restricted rating where no one under 18 being admitted). This was an unprecedented move. In Australia it was a very concerned and pro-active mother whose 16-year-old daughter had seen the film and consequently suffered nightmares who filed a letter of complaint to the NSW Film & TV Office.

Julianne Moore as FBI Agent Clarice Starling
Hannibal is the most sumptuous looking of all the Hannibal Lecter movies, the shadowy mood and darkly lush atmosphere is consistent throughout (cinematographer John Mathieson has worked on several Scott movies). The screenplay adaptation was originally by renowned playwright-cum-filmmaker David Mamet, but then totally re-written by another heavyweight Steven Zallian. The superb score is by Hollywood high achiever, Hans Zimmer.

WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Hannibal moves in for the kill
The baroque elements of Hannibal add a Gothic horror zing to the movie. This is captured in some of the movies more gruesome scenes, such as the medieval-styled hanging, the man-eating boars, and the final dinner scene hosted by the good doctor, with guests Krendler and Starling at the table drugged and vulnerable.

The end of the movie does provide a little confusion, even dissatisfaction; would Lecter really have done what he did? The movie ending differs radically from the novel. The DVD has many deleted scenes including an alternate ending, of which the plane sequence Scott favoured, and I can understand why, the subtle corruption of the Oriental kid is all the more fitting. Hannibal Lecter is a very rare breed of cinema villian, he whom we want to escape.

Hannibal's admiration and affection for Starling keeps her alive
The movie is perhaps overlong (two hours), and could have benefited with a little heart-smart trimming to remove some of the excess fat, but overall the movie is still a very elegant, yet profoundly carnivorous beast and will no doubt age well like a fine bottle of Chianti. There’s even dark humoured meat marbled in for those who relish a dry lingering comedic edge (stay watching at the very end of the movie’s credit for a sly goodbye), as well as several beautifully executed symbolic touches, both literal and figurative.

Hannibal is a most rich and sophisticated feast, not to be consumed with popcorn and soft drink, but with a tantalizing antipasto and a most vibrant and hearty red wine. Ta-ta.

Here's the original theatrical trailer:



* images on this page are courtesy of www.beyondhollywood.com and www.filmhai.com

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7 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Cibbuano

April 24th 2007 04:53


20/20 Filmsight
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A different feel than the first film, but a nice dark treat. Poor Ray Liotta!


Comment by KylieW

April 24th 2007 05:02


Celebrity Obsession
I didn't mind this movie, but it couldn't quite compare to Silence of the Lambs for me (in terms of the story). But Anthony Hopkins is wonderful and I enjoyed the Hannibal Lector character even more in the second film.

Gary Oldman was fantastic too. Very grotesque.

Comment by Bryn

April 24th 2007 06:07


Horrorphile
Cibby, yeah, poor Ray ... I wonder what eating one's own brains would be like? The concept is so truly surreal. Talk about introspection!!!

Kylie, Silence is a leaner, more scarifying film, Hannibal is the fleshed-out character study .... And yup, Oldman nailed that role fer sure, the voice and accent alone! He arranged specifically to not have his name in the opening credits to add mystery to the performance.


Comment by charles

April 24th 2007 06:50


FanFootball
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Ponderous
Not only have I not seen Hannibal, I have only seen bits and pieces of Silence of the Lambs on TV over the years.

And because of this, I haven't seen the other movies in this series because I haven't seen the 'original'.

Is Silence of the Lambs worth renting? Would I find myself laughing at the wacky hair-dos and dress sense of the early 90's?


Charles.

Comment by JohnDoe

April 25th 2007 03:49


Film & TV on DVD
Great review Bryn,

Though ManHunter is my favourite in the series, Hannibal runs a close second with its literary, mythical sense of humour, tongue in cheek tone to match the hammy lead and masterful visual style...a feast of cinematic debauchery..

Doesnt hurt that Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore are in it either.....I prefered Moore to Foster.

Comment by Bryn

April 25th 2007 09:32


Horrorphile
Charles,
Oh yes, rent Silence of the Lambs fer sure! But perhaps you should start at the beginning, rent Michael Mann's Manhunter (remade as Red Dragon, but not as good) first, then Silence, then Hannibal. Don't bother with Red Dragon or Hannibal Rising ...
The early 90s styles are amusing, yes.

JD,
I see Gary Oldman is in the new Harry Potter film , boy oh boy ... that's sad news.

Comment by 1928

May 25th 2008 11:07
Your text goes hereYour text goes herei love hannibal
anthony hopkins is amazing as usual and the rest of the cast are fantastic.
i wish they would make an other hannibal but i know they wont.
all together all the hannibal series are excellent and anthony hopkins suits the role perfectly.

BRILLIANT

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