This was the first horror film that sweeped the oscars. The Academy usually ignores horror films but I'm sure they don't like to look at it as a horror, it's more of a thriller more than anything. A thriller with brilliant acting, brilliant direction, brilliany dialogue, the whole package.
For me, it's all about Lecter, it's suprising considering he's not the star of the movie although people tend to think he is. Talk about stealing the show, this performance is the definition of "killis it" when you talk about acting.
The main star of the film is Jodie Foster. I don't even know where to start, this is arguably Foster's best role, no one else could have played Clarice Starling. Foster brings it all home with her performance, garnering her second academy award.
Then we come to Buffalo Bill, and OH MY GOD Ted Levine. Levine is such a great actor, bringing such a creepy nature to the role and making everyone in the theater just gasp at his performance. I'm sure that ever since 1991, people have looked at him in a whole new light.
In the end, no one has a weak moment, everyone is so great in their roles and you are into this film from the moment it starts till the moment it ends. Pure cinematic excellence.