Folder Contents

File spoon-archives/film-theory.archive/film-theory_2001/film-theory.0101, message 173


From: "Lynn Heyden" <lythe380-AT-hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Hannibal, was lost dawg
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 09:31:11 -0500


<html>
<DIV>
<P>You said:<BR>>he maintained a level of sophistication even whenincarcerated,his <BR>>level of intelligence is very seductive (intelligence is still oneofthe most <BR>>powerful attractants), and his ability to see into the "soul,"ifyou <BR>>will, of a person makes him seem more personable than he may actually be<BR></P>
<P>Thank you for this analysis. You pinpointed thoughts I had but could not put into words. Yes, intelligence IS very much an attractant. And also that a person who notices strengths in us is seductive as well. I find this very interesting. And when someone mentioned comparison with "Instinct" where the character was more animal-like, cunning, but mainly thinking only of his own survival, this is even more clear. :-)</P>
<P> <BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>----Original Message Follows---- 
<DIV></DIV>From: Earl Messer<POMO-AT-MEGAPIPE.NET> 
<DIV></DIV>Reply-To: <A href="mailto:film-theory-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu">film-theory-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu</A> 
<DIV></DIV>To: <A href="mailto:film-theory-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu">film-theory-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu</A> 
<DIV></DIV>Subject: Hannibal, was lost dawg 
<DIV></DIV>Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 13:31:49 -0500 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Hi! 
<DIV></DIV>Just a few ideas on that. I think perhaps first is casting. Hopkins is 
<DIV></DIV>distinguished, sounds and acts very "proper," and I think, however much many 
<DIV></DIV>of us might try not to succumb to our socialization, we find someone who 
<DIV></DIV>acts "proper" to be very seductive. 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Along similar lines, Lector took those traits Hopkins already possessed and 
<DIV></DIV>amplified them. Speaking from the perspective of making him as appealing as 
<DIV></DIV>he can be: he maintained a level of sophistication even when incarcerated, 
<DIV></DIV>his level of intelligence is very seductive (intelligence is still one of 
<DIV></DIV>the most powerful attractants), and his ability to see into the "soul," if 
<DIV></DIV>you will, of a person makes him seem more personable than he may actually 
<DIV></DIV>be. These points can be made, changed ever so slightly, for another 
<DIV></DIV>seductive movie character, the vampire (in most tellings of vampire 
<DIV></DIV>stories). 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Also, in seeing into those around him, he notices strengths as well as 
<DIV></DIV>weaknesses, and someone who notices strengths is, I think, more seductive. 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>As for technique, I think the number of close-ups and medium shots centered 
<DIV></DIV>on his face, even, I think at times, parts of his face (?), helped, since 
<DIV></DIV>Hopkins is an attractive man. His voice was controlled, rarely did the tone 
<DIV></DIV>startle anyone, even if the words might have. If I remember correctly, I 
<DIV></DIV>seem to remember his expression when he looked at Starling was often one of 
<DIV></DIV>something near sympathy, even when he was acting to make her more 
<DIV></DIV>uncomfortable. But that is something I can't put my finger on, so... 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Anyway, just a few ideas. 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Earl Messer 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>From: Lita Coucher<LITA_COUCHER-AT-HOTMAIL.COM> 
<DIV></DIV>> Now, this might be a bit out of the blue, and maybe too "movie" 
<DIV></DIV>disucssion, 
<DIV></DIV>> but I was thinking about "Hannibal" last night. I had mentioned that the 
<DIV></DIV>> character had seduced me, in a way that I find very distrubing. Any 
<DIV></DIV>> aspiring screenwriters or directors out there who have any idea WHY this 
<DIV></DIV>> character is so alluring? 
<DIV></DIV>> 
<DIV></DIV>> My guess is that he combines power with a sensitivity to those he finds as 
<DIV></DIV>> "equals." Were there techniques in the film (Silence...) that made us see 
<DIV></DIV>> this? 
<DIV></DIV>> Jenna 
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>--- from list film-theory-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- 
<DIV></DIV><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href="http://explorer.msn.com">http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></p></html>


     --- from list film-theory-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
Driftline Main Page