Manhunter

UK Release Date: 24 February 1989

Certification: 18

Director: Michael Mann

Cast: Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina, Kim Greist, Stephen Lang, Tom Noonan, William Petersen

Rating: 81%

"It's just you and me now, sport."

Review:

I came into Manhunter as a fan of Michael Mann rather than a fan of the series of novels by Thomas Harris that centred around serial killer, Hannibal Lector. One of which later became one of the greatest and most influential films of all time - that I am still yet to see - The Silence of the Lambs. Albeit, Michael Mann is what drew me to the film, a man who is quickly becoming one of my favourite directors around. What often strikes me about Heat (a film in my personal top ten) is the colour palette on display and that was perhaps developed in one of his earlier features such as Manhunter. Each frame is visually striking - placing the Graham family scenes in a dreamlike blue, shots with 'The Tooth Fairy' in a sickly green and FBI scenes in bright fluorescent whites emphasising each party is completely different to the other. 

Michael Mann's filmmaking choices could come across as style over substance to a lot of people but that is never the case for me. If a demonstration of his intelligence from a filmmaking standpoint was ever needed it can be seen during the conversation between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecktor. Mann places both characters in a cell highlighting that both characters are trapped - Lecktor physically locked in his cell and Graham trapped in his own mind. Mann's shot selection in Manhunter is perfect in every single frame. He never shows too much of the killer, similarly to Spielberg and the shark in Jaws. And that is why, Manhunter ultimately works. The terror created by Michael Mann is more unsettling than the images themselves. 

Will Graham is an excellent protagonist. William Petersen establishes a convoluted and intricate character within the first half an hour of the film. Petersen does such a great job at conveying the fact that Will Graham sees the world as a killer. He must understand the mind of a serial killer in order to track one down but you can see the detrimental psychological effect that has on him. And that brings me onto my next point, Hannibal Lecktor's presence is felt even from behind bars. He gets into Graham's head making him question his identity and his families safety. It's an effortless performance from Brian Cox that goes somewhat under the radar due to Anthony Hopkins' Oscar winning performance as Lecktor in The Silence of the Lambs. Tom Noonan does an okay job as the main antagonist of the film, Francis Dollarhyde, 'The Tooth Fairy'. His first introduction is menacing due to the sheer height and creepy nature. But apart from that his performance wasn't anything particularly inventive and wasn't on the same level as Graham or Cox. 

The soundtrack only amplifies the tense atmosphere presented throughout the film. At times the score dominates the film. It's a relentless score that heightens certain scenes making them overwhelmingly powerful. The score is classic synth similar to that of Heat, it screams cool. 'Graham's Theme' by Michel Rubini is electric bringing life to every scene it's used in, enhancing the emotions that the audience are meant to feel. 

Unfortunately, the last half an hour of Manhunter prevents the film from being exceptional. The film begins as an incredible detective/FBI story about tracking down a serial killer but it soon ends up as weird love story. By the end Manhunter is a generic shootout that feels very dated.