Do You Eat All You Hunt?

An FBI agent enlists the help of the cannibal he'd previously caught to track down another killer in 1986's Manhunter. The first cinematic appearance of Hannibal Lecter (played by Brian Cox) was directed by Michael Mann and based on Red Dragon, Thomas Harris' first book. It was later adapted again by Brett Ratner and although I barely remember that movie I can say with confidence Mann's version is better.

William Petersen gives an intense performance as Will Graham, the FBI agent, though it's a broader portrayal than other protagonists in films from Harris' novels. It kind of fits with the neon saturated motion picture Mann crafted though I miss the contrasting grit of Mann's Thief or Heat. Thief has become one of my favourite movies to watch at 3am when I can't get back to sleep, by the way. But all Mann's movies have that kind of raw edge, 3am feeling. He likes to film sunsets and sunrises where the light transforms into something that seems at home with all the neon, glossy windows, and shiny raindrops.

Cox is fine as Hannibal Lecter (spelled Lecktor in this film for some reason) though nothing like the revelation later presented by Anthony Hopkins. Francis Dollarhyde is very creepy as the villain.

Joan Allen has a small part as the killer's love interest. I'd been playing Skyrim before I watched the movie and just so happened to have interacted with the character she voices in that game. I kept imagining her character in Manhunter saying, "You're that stranger been poking around."

Manhunter is available on The Criterion Channel.

X Sonnet #1876

As dry as powdered sugar, silence burns.
The desert watches sweetly dancing ghosts.
Believers scoff at all that shadow learns.
The pin of science pierced the angry hosts.
Convenient placement won the dog a treat.
Coincidence composed the paper book.
For muscle strength, the ant digested meat.
In old parlance, we call the meal a hook.
Confusing wind would dash the pot aground.
Precluding lunch, the noodles soak the floor.
An ancient guest would have a look around.
A tiny hole would serve as cricket's door.
A busy year became a famous day.
The lazy postman flushed the rest away.