Hannibal

Cast:  Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta

Director:  Ridley Scott

2001


Sequel to the award winning film, Silence Of The Lambs, this film was hugely successful, earning $351 Million worldwide.  It was the third highest debuting film ever, at the time, but didn't attain the award winning acclaim of the original.  Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter but unfortunately Jodie Foster doesn't return to her award winning role; this time Julianne Moore takes the part of Clarice Starling.  Much more a psychological thriller than standard horror, but a modern classic worth viewing!


Story:  10 years after the events of Silence Of The Lambs, Hannibal Lector remains on the loose.  Mason Verger, a wealthy survivor of Hannibal, pulls some political strings to get Clarice reassigned to his case in an attempt to draw Hannibal out from hiding but Mason his own torturous revenge planned.

Gay Factors:  Minimal gayness and unfavorable to the gay community. 

A quick flashback depicts an interest of Mason Verger in Hannibal.  Mason says he wore his best "come hither outfit" to meet Hannibal and the flashback depicts the two dancing together. 

Clarice retells a story about Hannibal enticing a male victim and FBI agent, Paul, replies "I always figured him for a queer" further relating it as because of "all this artsy fartsy stuff.  Chamber food, tea party food."  Paul clearly shows signs of homophobia when discussing the topic.  Later in the film, in another meeting Paul says "Sounds like him." to which Clarice replies "You mean like a homosexual?"

It's never clearly stated if Hannibal is indeed gay or bisexual or has merely used it as means to get close to certain male victims.  Overall, the questionable gays in the film all appear unfavorably.  Mason Verger is now a monstrous looking man who tried to cut off his face at the urging or Lecter, and Hannibal Lecter (if gay) is obviously the estranged cannibalistic killer of the film.

Some people could use Hannibal's interest in Clarice as proof of his heterosexuality but the original novel does include contradictions to that theory:  in the end of the film when he kidnaps Clarice, he tries to make her over as a new version of his dead sister.  The film really doesn't delve into that angle.

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