February Masochist's Dare -- 2,000 words a day
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Friday,
February 9, 2001

Hannibal, Schmannibal

Yeah, thought that would get your attention. As the more adroit among you may have guessed already, yes, I blew off the writing tonight in order to go see Hannibal.

Um. . .woof? And in a good way?

Good movie, although I must admit I prefer the ending of the book (which, yes, is different from the ending of the movie. I'm not sure I agree with the movie's ending, but it works on a dramatic level, which is pretty much all you can expect from a novel adaptation).

My main observation, however, has to do with the personal interaction between Lecter and Starling, particularly the scene in the kitchen (for anyone who's seen it). Was it just me, or. . . Hmm, maybe I should put some spoiler space in. . .

Yo! Spoilers Ahead! Do Not Read If You Do Not Want To Be Spoiled About Hannibal.

Was it just me, or was that kiss between Lecter and Starling in the kitchen rather, um, hot?

Maybe it was just me, but the sheer *power* of that scene was like a blow to the gut -- leaning forward as if to bite her, then the look in his eyes alchemizing into a different kind of hunger, and changing the gesture to an honestly gentle kiss, quite possibly the first he had ever given to a woman he considered an equal.

I mean, yes, he's a cannibalistic madman, but wow.

If I were her, I'd have to forever wonder -- what would Hannibal Lecter have been like without the events in his life that turned him into a monster? Would she have been attracted to that man? And in her secret heart of hearts, was there some tiny, atavistic part that was attracted to the man he now was? Did it respond to the promise of a superior mate (because someone like Hannibal Lecter is not going to let anything happen to his wife and children), a brilliant, cultured man who ingenuously lobotomized someone who had tried to ruin her career, who carried her out of harm's way, who was dangerous, deadly and yet weirdly sexy?

You have to admit, it's a potent mixture, especially when it looks like Anthony Hopkins. Which is probably the reason why I like the book ending better -- although it's done in a thoroughly amoral way, they do wind up together and happy.

Yeah, yeah, I know. I never said I was normal.

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