Former FBI agent Will Graham (William Petersen), who specialises in catching serial killers, is brought out of early retirement to track down a murderer who bludgeons entire families only when the moon is full. Graham’s tactic is to enter the mind of the deranged criminal, which turns out to have an enormous emotional strain attached. When he seeks advice from imprisoned psychiatrist/psychopath Dr Lecter (Brian Cox), he ends up endangering himself and his family. Based on the novel which was the precursor to ‘Silence of the Lambs’.
Starring: William Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina
Directed by: Michael Mann
Runtime: 120 minutes
Studio: MGM
Amazon USAmazon UKIMDBReview: Manhunter
Anthony Hopkins’ role as Dr Hannibal Lecktor is legendary in the film world but before that Oscar-winning turn in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Michael Mann adapted Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon and made Manhunter. I’d always wanted to see this one which is still highly regarded despite the massive appeal of Lambs but is it worth all that praise?
The film follows the story of Will Graham (William Petersen), formerly a criminal profiler for the FBI but now retired having been attacked by Dr Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox) and suffering a breakdown as a result. Graham is visited by Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina) from the FBI who wants his help with a new case involving a killer known as the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan) due to the bite marks left on his victims. Graham reluctantly comes out of retirement to profile and locate the killer but he needs some help, turning to the Dr Lecktor who is now in prison under maximum security. The question is can Graham locate the Tooth Fairy before he kills someone else?
Manhunter was one of Michael Mann’s earliest films and it was fascinating to see the director of Heat at work here. Mrs B and I are big fans of CSI so it was fantastic to have William Petersen in the lead and it was just like watching a young Grissom at work. He handles the role of Graham well. The former criminal profiler not only has to contend with a reunion with Dr Lecktor but he has the unwanted attentions of a journalist Freddie Lounds (Stephen Lang) who chronicled Graham’s previous breakdown. Graham is undeterred and begins profiling the Tooth Fairy but it’s far from straightforward.
Manhunter doesn’t have the same qualities as The Silence of the Lambs but it still makes for a pretty effective thriller under Mann’s direction. Petersen is the star of the show while Cos makes an interesting Dr Lecktor but he cannot hold an acting candle to Mr Hopkins who made the character his own. The end comes pretty quickly and it’s a pretty memorable conclusion as the police close in on the Tooth Fairy but you do have to feel for Graham who has come out of retirement with the intention of not getting his hands dirty!
Manhunter is a decent thriller which is certainly worth a look, not just for a different take on Hannibal Leckter but also to see one of the early entries in Michael Mann’s directing CV. Fans of CSI will enjoy watching William Petersen and the film is not unnecessarily gory which is always a good thing.
Verdict: 3/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
Film Review: Manhunter | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
