Manhunter

The AMC channel has been showing the film Manhunter a lot lately. I love the movie.

For those not familiar with it, here's the synopsis: "Retired FBI agent Will Graham (William L. Petersen) returns to action to hunt down a serial killer by using his ability to get inside the psychopath's mind. However, it was this ability that drove him into retirement in the first place. With another madman on the loose, Graham has no choice but to return to duty, though he knows that it might cost him his family and his sanity. "

The film was made in 1986 and directed by Michael Mann.

The film has an overall look that is so lush and cool. The viewer can't help but notice the colors and the sets. The film reminds me of some of my favorite Paul Schrader films: American Gigolo, Raging Bull & Cat People. Beautiful. Distinctive. Every frame is like a work of art. The film's soundtrack also plays a key role in the overall feel and continuity of the film. Haunting and original.

Of course, as with anything, there are always those who don't like the film. These are usually the people who only know that Michael Mann was also the writer/executive producer for the 80's TV show, Miami Vice. So, these same people are the ones who feel compelled to show you how "savvy" they are by comparing it to a Miami Vice episode, or making some such other uninspired parallel. That's all they know. You know, like the people who were calling 2003's Wrong Turn a cross between Deliverance and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Neither of which was an original or accurate comparison. They just noticed that some critic somewhere made those parallels, so they resorted to regurgitating other's opinions, passing them off as their own "insights." Pretty feeble and unoriginal (yet not that uncommon these days), if you ask me. Check out some IMDB "reviews" if you don't believe me.

Manhunter was unnecessarily remade, after the box office success of it's sequels: Silence of The Lambs and Hannibal. Mainstream America wanted to see their original incarnation of the Hannibal Lecter character, played by Anthony Hopkins, who admittedly brought his own brand of psychosis to the character. However, the role was originally portrayed effectively by Brian Cox, with less fanfare. Manhunter was based on the book Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, which I read for the first time when I was in junior high, and from which the 2002 remake was named. Some things just can't be recaptured, and the remake proved that. The original relied more on suspense, characters, acting and style. Not names and box office revenues, not to mention a different ending. The original "Tooth Fairy" portrayed by Tom Noonan, blows Ralph Fiennes' performance out of the water. No contest. Ralph Fiennes is attractive and a competent actor, but he's better off leaving the dark roles to those who can handle it. Filled with some of the creepiest scenes on film, I defy you not to be chilled by the fate of tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds.

So, in closing, I urge you to catch the movie sometime. Preferably, unedited on DVD, so as to not be robbed of its' full impact. The DVD can be purchased on Half.com for anywhere between $1.75-$5, so price shouldn't keep you from enjoying what I consider to be one of the best suspense thrillers captured on celluloid.