Intermission: Mamet, Zaillian improve on Harris' 'Hannibal'

"Hannibal"

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini, Ray Liotta

Rated: R

In real life, the Jeff Dahmers, Ted Bundys and John Wayne Gacys of the world are a reviled lot. But in "reel" life, the opposite seems to be true. The exploits of Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter in 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs," made for a film that managed a clean sweep of the major Oscar categories, earned phenomenal box office and garnered critical acclaim far and wide.

The spell doesn't seem to have been broken after a decade, as the theater was packed on opening day (even at the 12:45 matinee) and the crowd tittered while hanging on every word uttered by Sir Anthony Hopkins as he revised his role as polite society's favorite homicidal maniac and eater of human flesh.

I've got to admit, the guy does exude a fair amount of charm, grace and dignity.

While "The Silence of the Lambs" was Dr. Lecter's best known vehicle, he actually appeared earlier in Thomas Harris' novel "Red Dragon" and Michael Mann's subsequent film adaptation "Manhunter." Of the three novels, I've always found "Red Dragon" to be the most satisfying.

After the character of Lecter grabbed so much attention, Harris gave him a bigger part in the second book, and by the time "Hannibal" came out, things had gotten to the Stephen King level of writing what you think the audience craves. By the end of the novel "Hannibal," I had pretty much lost my respect for the whole affair.

That said, it should be noted that screenwriters David Mamet (one of the finest writers on the Hollywood scene) and Steven Zaillian have crafted a script that surpasses the novel. The film "Hannibal" touches all of the bases depicted in the novel but wastes little time in doing so and comes across as a story more taut than in the Harris book.

While not in the same league as Jonathan Demme's "The Silence of the Lambs," Ridley Scott's direction, Hopkins' involvement and the writing of Mamet and Zaillian combine to make a well-crafted film that audiences will no doubt eat up.

As we all know, Dr. Lecter escaped at the end of "The Silence of the Lambs." As "Hannibal" opens, we find the good doctor relocated in Florence, Italy, under an assumed name and about to be appointed curator of a fine library-museum.

We are also introduced to Mason Verger (the uncredited and unrecognizable Gary Oldman), a disfigured billionaire who has actually survived an encounter with Hannibal the Cannibal. Verger's sole purpose in life is to track down Lecter and feed him (slowly feed him) to a herd of man-eating pigs he's been raising for just this occasion.

A detective in Florence, played by an uncannily well-aged Giancarlo Giannini, begins looking into the past of Dr. Fell, the new candidate for the library/museum curator job, while investigating the disappearance of the last curator. He soon discovers Fell is indeed Lecter, and he tips Mason Verger off in order to obtain the handsome reward.

All of these goings on don't escape the notice of the FBI, which puts Special Agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore in the role created by Jodie Foster) on the case.

After a botched drug bust and a few other misadventures, Starling is forced to give up her badge, but this doesn't stop her in her pursuit of Lecter.

Also on the scene is Paul Krendler (Ray Liotta), a crooked Justice Department official who ends up as the guest of honor at one of Dr. Lecter's more elaborate meals. The final act of the film, with Hopkins, Liotta and Moore, is a squeamish sight to behold, and Ridley Scott brings it to life in stylish fashion. Scott, who directed "Alien," "Black Rain" and last year's blockbuster "Gladiator," has a great sense of visuals and is aided tremendously by cinematographer John Mathieson.

"The Silence of the Lambs" is a tough act to follow, and pundits aren't being too kind to "Hannibal." I thought it was much better than the novel, and it will surely reap big box office dollars. Word is out that there are plans to re-film "Red Dragon" with Hopkins, Moore and the other folks involved in the Lecter franchise. As the most engaging novel in the series, I hope the filmmakers do it justice.

(Jim Wunderle works at Associated Video Producers and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.)