1. The movement of the camera in the opening scene in the film helps reveal the troubled past of Clarice. Although Clarice is training for the FBI, the movement of the camera along with the music in the background gives the viewers the impression that Clarice is being chased. Clarice is running at full speed and appears to be struggling, and she has a scared look on her face. The camera follows her in an almost predatory way, and it is filmed with a similar look to a horror movie. There are long shots following Clarice, and the camera is not steady, giving the impression that someone is behind her. The use of the forrest as a setting also adds to the eerie scene, as that is a common setting for horror movies and gives off a feeling of isolation and the unknown.
2. The scene where Clarice meets Hannibal is one of the most important scenes in the film, as it sets the tone for their relationship for the rest of the story. Hannibal and Clarice have a type of back and forth relationship where each of them take jabs at each other, trying to gain control of the situation. Hannibal tries to get in Clarice’s head, as he sees that she is troubled, while Clarice is there for Hannibal’s help. The camera adds to this by switching between each person to get their point of view and to show the struggle between them for control. The shift of the camera is used to create suspense in a scene that would otherwise just be dialogue. It is also important to note how the tone of voice, specifically by Hannibal, adds to the eeriness and suspense of the scene.
3. Identity plays an important in this film, as it does with almost every good story. In my opinion, Clarice’s identity is the main focus of the film. The story as a whole can be taken as a transformation of Clarice. Clarice’s identity is shown most clearly in the scenes in which she reveals her back-story to Hannibal. Her troubled past is a constant theme in the story, and the story revolves around Clarice trying to overcome her past. When she tells Hannibal about her past, it reveals the true identity of her character, instead of just the cover she is trying to show us. Hannibal’s identity, on the other hand, is not really developed throughout the story. His identity is not created, but instead given to him at the beginning of the story, and the audience is forced to have that interpretation of him.
4. Hannibal is confined at all times in a jail cell with no human contact. He is placed in jail with the goal of removing all of his power, but his personality will not allow it. Even in this limited area, Hannibal is able to take control of the situation, as he still manages to get Clarice to fall apart and reveal to him her dark past. Clarice is the complete opposite. She is given unlimited space but manages to trap herself in tight spaces because of her inability to let go and move on. She constantly puts herself in harm’s way, whether it is with Hannibal or Buffalo Bill.
5. The flashbacks reveal the troubled past of Clarice, and allow the viewers to see the internal conflict of Clarice. Throughout the story, Clarice constantly has flashbacks of her past, showing that she is unable to move past it. The story focuses just as much on Clarice trying to overcome her past as it does on her actually trying to find Buffalo Bill. By looking into Clarice’s personal life, it makes her a deeper character that the audience truly cares for. Her obsession with the past is something that people can relate to, and it makes her seem more real.
6. I believe this film is about Clarice, with Hannibal playing an important part in her transformation. The entire story focuses on Clarice trying to overcome her past, and Hannibal is the one character who is able to help her confront it. Clarice grows up as the story progresses, becoming more confident in both her job and her personal life. Hannibal, on the other hand, remains pretty much the same.
