Red Dragon
Review
by : Gareth Von Kallenbach
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins, Emily Watson, Harvey
Keitel , Ralph Fiennes
Directed by: Brett Ratner
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It has often been said that things in life have a way of coming
full circle; I cite the change of seasons, the cycle of life,
and relationships as an example. There is a starting point,
and end, and a new beginning. Such is the case of the film
"Red Dragon" by author Thomas Harris. The story
began its life as a book, was made into a film named "Manhunter",
and is now reborn in grand fashion as a star-studded blockbuster.
For those
of you who were not aware, "Red Dragon" was the
book the introduced the word to Hannibal Lector, and set the
stage for his exploits in the books and film "The Silence
of The Lambs", and "Hannibal". Not only were
the films and books hugely successful, but also they made
the character of Hannibal Lecter famous and forever etched
Sir Anthony Hopkins image with the doctor. The solid Box office
and book sales of "Hannibal", despite mixed reviews,
showed that despite an 11year layoff, audiences wanted more
tales of the mad doctor. Unable to get momentum for a sequel
without a new book, producer Dino DeLorentis looked to the
past and decided to return Lecter to the screen in the form
of a prequel by expanding upon his character in a prequel
to his other tales.
Dragon
tells the story of how socialite psychologist Lecter was caught
by FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) as he worked with
Graham to solve the very crimes he had committed. Both Graham
and Lector are injured in the confrontation, and soon face
many hardships ahead of them. For Lector it is his trail and
imprisonment, and for Graham, it is a painful and long stay
in the hospital and a very near brush with death. The years
pass, and Graham and his wife and son live a peaceful life
in Florida having left the FBI behind years ago for sunsets
and boat engine work. Two brutal murders later brings FBI
Chief Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel) to Graham's door in an
effort to beg his former master profiler to return to work,
on a temporary basis to shed some light on the case. Although
highly reluctant to return to his work, Graham agrees to help
for a little while in an effort to save lives. Graham is able
to discover some clues as to the nature of the killer (dubbed
the Tooth Fairy by the tabloids due to the odd bite marks
on his victims), but is unable to gain the insights needed
to solve the case. In an effort to beet the lunar cycle that
the killer seems to run on, Graham turns to the incarcerated
Lector for clues. Lector is a master at playing games and
answering questions in riddles, as Clarice Starling Would
come to learn in the next two books. Lecter respects Graham,
but has animosity to the man who put him behind bars. For
every step forward there are three steps back, and of course,
Lecter has a price for everything. Graham is surrounded by
his fear of Lecter tempered by his desire to save lives and
learn from the Doctor, as clearly, Lecter is the best option
to crack the case. Complicating the investigation is a sleazy
tabloid reporter named Freddy Lounds (Philip Seymour Hoffman),
who has a past history with Graham, and who is hampering the
investigation with his unethical storylines and attempts at
news surrounding the case.
What sets
the story apart from other crime dramas is the killer himself,
Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes). He is a man who is clearly
a dangerous individual, but amidst the horror, shows a pain
and suffering that is brought on by conditions ranging from
years of abuse to a very low self-image. Dolarhyde is trying
to transform himself and thinks that by transforming (murdering)
the others he will accomplish his goal and gain the respect
and power he craves. The theme of transformation is common
in the works of Harris as Buffalo Bill, from "The Silence
of the Lambs" likened his change to be that of butterfly
from a cocoon, showing characters that are in a constant state
of change. Dolarhyde is such a character as he develops a
relationship with a blind lady named Reba (Emily Watson) who
does not see the monster he believes he is, and causes him
to question his ways even as he descends further into madness.
It is a nice change from the standard stock villains to see
a character with a bit of depth to him, especially in a film
that would have been all to easy to give all of the attention
to Lecter and Graham. Eventually things come to a head in
the picture as the various characters find their destinies
intertwined and on a collision course where the final transformations
will take place.
"Red
Dragon" is a well-written and very well acted film. Brett
Ratner, who directed the "Rush Hour" films, has
remained true to the novel and the characters and the script
by Oscar-winner Ted Tally (who won for his draft of "The
Silence of The Lambs"), sets a steady tone without being
plodding. Hopkins acts as if he is slipping on a pair of comfy
slippers, as his Lecter is haunting yet mesmerizing as you
find yourself unable to look away from him. He blends humor
and horror without ever ceasing to be a blue-blooded aristocrat,
making him one of the most memorable villains ever created.
Norton also shins as Graham and establishes once again that
he is one of the most gifted young actors in film today as
his portrayal of Graham's determination despite his personal
fears and misgivings was amazing. The easygoing intensity
he brought to the character was never forced yet seemed appropriate
for every situation he was in. The film was largely accurate
to the book and easily blended in the expanded Lecter scenes
without sacrificing any of the stories original content. If
I had to find a fault with the film it would be that the final
part of the film had a few too many Hollywood clichés
for me, and that the film slowed a bit ¾ of the way
in from a pacing that had been appropriate. It was almost
as if the creators knew that Lecter was the drawing card and
wanted to insert a few more scenes of him and Graham. That
being said, the film is solid and well worth seeing. The final
lines of the film bring this trilogy full circle and start
the cycle of Lecter anew, a job well done by all.
Gareth
Von Kallenbach
Gareth@nwlink.com
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