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| DIRECTED BY |
| Michael Mann
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| STARRING |
| William L. Petersen |
| Kim Greist |
| Joan Allen |
| Brian Cox |
| Dennis Farina |
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Standing on its own, �Manhunter� is a highly intelligent dramatic thriller whose director, Michael Mann, competently translates the intricacies of Thomas Harris�s novel into cinematic terms. In comparison to its remake, �Red Dragon,� however, it�s below par, although it still does have a few superior elements.
Mann has always directed his films in a completely realistic and simplistic manner, making sure to not let technicalities overshadow the performances of his actors. There would be no downsides to this technique had the cast been perfect, but I actually found it quite hard to care much about William Petersen as he maintained an almost robotic and often awkward approach to his character. Edward Norton�s approach seems much more relaxed and believable in the remake.
And then there�s Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter, who just doesn�t compare to Anthony Hopkins� characterization of the famous murderer. But then again, Lecter�s character is much more developed and �in the spotlight� in the remake as well; Hopkins certainly did have many more scenes to work with. The only main actor who really holds up to his counterpart in the remake is Tom Noonan, whose creepy characterization of the delusional serial killer Francis Dollarhyde more than holds up to Ralph Fiennes� performance in the remake.
But it�s not just the acting of �Manhunter� that doesn�t quite hold up to its remake. A major centerpiece of the plot of �Red Dragon� is completely missing here, and that is the mental anguish that Dollarhyde goes through as he battles with the inner demons who command him to destroy his love while he tries to save her from his own wrath.
When Mann tries to get artsy with his otherwise realistic films, they�re adversely affected. The soundtrack of �Manhunter� seems way off much of the time, hitting its mark with subtle rhythms but then blowing up into paroxysms of 80s punk rock that do not, by any means, belong in a dramatic thriller. It�s a shame, because sometimes Mann seems to really know what he�s doing, but then he just loses his filmic grip.
I liked the finale of �Manhunter� much more than the remake, however. Mann structured the whole film upon realism and delivers a realistic and believable ending, unlike the ridiculous twist that we�re supposed to comprehend at the end of director Brett Ratner�s version.
