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Since I haven't read the book - I've read its sequel and have seen the film adaptation, though - I cannot truly say just how much did Michael Mann and the crew followed the book or improvised of their own. But by what I saw, my feelings on this film is mixed. Very mixed. At times it is clunky, at times boring, at times too offish and, surprisingly, at times energetic, although in a flawed sense. This is, in a way, probably the only film I've had difficulty to write a review on. I like the film but I cannot bring myself to appreciate the film beyond a certain level because of its unnaturalistic and lazy approach to the building of the characters and the thrill behind the scenes. I have come to understand these flaws because it was only Mann's third film, meaning he was still new to the art of directing, which he perfected in his later films like Heat, The Last of the Mohicans and my personal two favourites, Collateral and Public Enemies. This film as a whole is quite-satisfying but doesn't exactly quench your thirst. It leaves you with that uncomfortable feeling of wanting just one more sip to fully satisfy it - something it doesn't give.
The pacing of the film was kinda disappointing but surprisingly on the spot in the scenes concerning Hannibal Lektor - The name was misspelled for the film. The above line is small comfort because Lektor's scenes don't amount to more than 10 minutes. Hannibal Lektor - or Lecter - has been bought to public consciousness by Anthony Hopkins in the sequel, Silence of the Lambs, a performance lasting only 16 minutes. A legendary performance, Hopkins's portrayal of "The Cannibal" has, to many, rendered Brian Cox's take almost useless - a viewpoint I don't fully appreciate. Brian Cox's performance was chilly, haunting and totally mesmerizing. It was his voice that gave his character a different edge, a unique feeling - like a butcher honing his knife, or a finger sliding over the shiny surface of a razor. His incredibly short screen-time had me impressed, and although not to the level of Hopkins, is a memorable, almost iconic new character in itself.
Story-wise the film is quite smooth, although it is tortuously filled with potholes here and there. Not only it seriously affected the pace and the atmosphere of the film, but also affected the characters, and many did not rise to the bar they were supposed to. Tom Noonan, who plays the actual villain of the film, Tooth Fairy Killer, felt underused in a rather promising role. Due to the clunkiness, he never becomes the iconic character he should've, but settles down for a memorable one. He did, however, feel right at home during the last 5 minutes with all the shooting and everything. But nevertheless, Tom Noonan was very intimidating in his role, and his one quote "Well, here I am" has now become one of my favourites, because of the seriously awesome delivery. William Petersen, who plays Will Graham, the main protagonist, although was convincing in his role, did not win me 100% over. In many scenes he felt like as if he was regretting his decision. It was indeed a good performance, but quite unhinged. I guess I'll have to see it again to make up my mind. All the others, in my opinion, were just OK. Even though she's now painfully associated with that idiotic quote from Death Race among us teenagers, Joan Allen was quite cute in her role, and was a total surprise.
In all, Manhunter is not what I would call a disappointing film, but it does tread in those waters I'm afraid!
7.5/10
