ManhunterIn 1986, Michael Mann's stylish procedural thriller Manhunter introduced us to the world of depraved killers and FBI profilers, adapted from the works of Thomas Harris--in this case, a novel called "Red Dragon". Harris' works would later feature psychopath Hannibal Lector/Lecktor in a more prominent role; in Manhunter, he has already been imprisoned by retired agent Will Graham (William Petersen) after a near-death altercation that scarred Will, emotionally and physically. Will is called back at the behest of his former boss, Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina) to use his talents as a profiler to help catch a budding serial killer, known as the "Tooth Fairy".
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But Will's talent comes at a great emotional cost to him; for him, his ability to seek out clues that get overlooked by standard investigatory procedure comes from identifying with the killer, and relating to them in a way that helps him understand their modus operandi. This method proved terribly dangerous for Will before, and he is only just recovering from the psychological damage it inflicted on him. But Will is a good man, who loves his family, and wants to save other families from being slaughtered by this killer. So, under the pretense that he will stick to the shadows as a consultant for the FBI, he returns for one last job. Petersen plays a haunted man, weighed down by his desire to catch this killer before he strikes again, and the sense that this process draws out feelings in him that he'd be more comfortable leaving buried. Will gradually gets deeper into the investigation, and feels responsible to protect others and sacrifice his well-being, because he loves his family so much. Michael Mann's direction frequently employs slow-motion sequences, memories of Will's that flood back to him, a poetic vision that highlights why he does what he does, that good that wins through in him. Strong colors that dominate scenes establish a tone, a cinematic mood that draws out underlying emotions without exposition. Will's need to get the "mindset" of a killer back brings him again to the attention of one Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), an erudite and sinister prisoner, who himself ends up as something of a consultant to Will--while snaking his way into getting his revenge for his capture. As in his incarnation in later films adapted from Harris' works, where he is played by Anthony Hopkins, Brian Cox's performance is also smart and menacing, but his forceful personality and quick response to worming his way into Will's mind provides a delightful counterpoint to Hopkins' later easy insidiousness.
Francis Dollarhyde (Tom Noonan) appears much later in the film as the "Tooth Fairy"; his late arrival affords us his perspective, an insightful journey into the mind of a megalomaniac and psycho killer, but also as Lecktor observes, a "shy boy". Dollarhyde works in the photographic development business, and is generally very quiet and self-conscious about his imposing appearance. When he meets Reba McClane (Joan Allen), the two develop a relationship that seems unlikely in light of our understanding of Dollarhyde's twisted fantasies. However, Reba is blind, and Francis' startling attempts to woo her--such as inviting her to stroke a sedated tiger--surprisingly work. All the same, Francis is an insane killer, and he believes that his lunar cycle activities will bring him to a state of godhood, and he draws conclusions between his ascendance and William Blake's The Great Red Dragon paintings. Dollarhyde exhibits a great deal of eccentricities that unnerve an audience, such as his prosthetic fangs--that unknown quantity makes the killers in much of Harris' work menacing, because behaviors like that are alien to us, but not unimaginable. Will himself is not a bad man, but he can simulate the mental state that a killer possesses, leading him to understand the motive that eludes so many others. The grand showdown between these two main characters of the film occurs with one of the most staggering shootouts in film, a strange (but thoroughly enjoyable) experience set to Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", with rapid shifts in frame rate that creates a jarring and deadly encounter. The film is an enjoyable tale of good versus evil, and while we may sympathize with Dollarhyde, when his true nature comes out, there is no mistaking the hero from the villain.
Recommended for: Fans of intense and riveting procedural thrillers, with engaging and rich direction and impassioned performances by a great cast.
Francis Dollarhyde (Tom Noonan) appears much later in the film as the "Tooth Fairy"; his late arrival affords us his perspective, an insightful journey into the mind of a megalomaniac and psycho killer, but also as Lecktor observes, a "shy boy". Dollarhyde works in the photographic development business, and is generally very quiet and self-conscious about his imposing appearance. When he meets Reba McClane (Joan Allen), the two develop a relationship that seems unlikely in light of our understanding of Dollarhyde's twisted fantasies. However, Reba is blind, and Francis' startling attempts to woo her--such as inviting her to stroke a sedated tiger--surprisingly work. All the same, Francis is an insane killer, and he believes that his lunar cycle activities will bring him to a state of godhood, and he draws conclusions between his ascendance and William Blake's The Great Red Dragon paintings. Dollarhyde exhibits a great deal of eccentricities that unnerve an audience, such as his prosthetic fangs--that unknown quantity makes the killers in much of Harris' work menacing, because behaviors like that are alien to us, but not unimaginable. Will himself is not a bad man, but he can simulate the mental state that a killer possesses, leading him to understand the motive that eludes so many others. The grand showdown between these two main characters of the film occurs with one of the most staggering shootouts in film, a strange (but thoroughly enjoyable) experience set to Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", with rapid shifts in frame rate that creates a jarring and deadly encounter. The film is an enjoyable tale of good versus evil, and while we may sympathize with Dollarhyde, when his true nature comes out, there is no mistaking the hero from the villain.
Recommended for: Fans of intense and riveting procedural thrillers, with engaging and rich direction and impassioned performances by a great cast.