Joyce Pennington

I backed out of seeing this film at the last minute in 1991 afraid that it would disturb me. Seeing it now I realize it is not just a serial killer movie but rather a psychological study and game of wits between the emotionally wounded and intelligent Clarice and the very disturbed and cunning Dr. Lecter. Clarice’s tenacious determination wins the day and the case. However, the sadistic doctor has unnerved her to the core. Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins both give such memorable performances that for me, it made me wonder how to separate the actor from the role. Why did I wait so long?