blog #8 scene deconstruction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd7e1fXYIuM

   The theme in the movie The Silence of the Lambs is compensation for past failures.  The theme of the movie is best exemplified in this scene because Dr. Hannibal Lecter quizzes Clarice about her past and finally figures out why she is so dedicated in saving the victim of a serial killer.  The theme is shown to the audience in an active way even though many may not notice it, Hannibal clearly says to Clarice "Do you think if you saved Catherine, you could make them stop? Do you think, if Catherine lives, you won't wake up in the dark, ever again to the screaming of the lambs?"
  Movement in the scene best reinforces the theme of the movie.  The interaction between the two characters is what the scene is all about.  The camera movement back and forth from Clarice to Hannibal is what give the scene the suspense that drive the theme of the movie.  The last part of the scene when he simple movement of Hannibal giving Clarice the case file shows he knows her motive exactly, and that she is compensating her failure to save the lambs when she was younger to trying to save the victim of the serial killer.  The interaction between the characters is perfect example of tension and release.  The tension built up between them while Clarice is telling her story is almost too much to bare then the release of the case file at the end is timed perfectly giving the scene rhythm of first intense build up then quick release, which seems to add to the overall theme of the movie.  Also to add Hannibals obsession with Clarice is a way he compensates for being locked in a jail cell.