13. Bronson (2008)
This stylised and extremely entertaining film was the subject of a recent review of mine. However, above what I discussed in the post, it's main achievement is how it delves into the mind of such an unstable and violent individual. Once again, this film must receive major props for actually making such a character sympathetic, mostly through Hardy's highly likable, and not to mention outstanding, performance. This film is a ride through the life of a prisoner, and yet it feels more akin to a warrior's rise within a gladiatorial arena. This film is an odd one, however the way in which it shows psychology and insanity is truly spectacular.
12. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Perhaps the most obvious choice on this list, and a truly phenomenal film on top of that. Jodie Foster delivers one of my all time favourite heroic performances, however the film's highly intriguing take on insanity is why it is on this list. Anthony Hopkins is chilling as Lecter, we all now this, he treads a fine line between creepiness and humanity and is utterly captivating in every scene he inhabits. However, it is the cinematography and directing that earns this film it's place, not the acting. The theatrical nature of Lecter's escape scene, the intimacy of his meetings with Foster, the formalism of Foster's own scenes, and the terrifying claustrophobia of the Buffalo Bill scenes, all show a stunning blending of visual styles. Jonathen Demme represents the battle between good and evil, or sanity and insanity, by making his film a battle of visuals.
This film is often cited as a masterpiece of the thriller genre for a reason. It leaves me utterly terrified with it's climax, and it represents one of the purest trips into the mind of insanity that I have ever seen. A worthy number 12, which nearly made it even higher.
11. Primal Fear (1996)
I have no clue why this film is not talked about more. This film has one of the effective twists in recent thriller history, and in describing this film on this list I will sadly have to spoil that twist. In this ending, Edward Norton's character reveals that he has been lying about having a dual-personality, to the lawyer who has just saved him from being convicted of murder based on this false mental illness. This twist is brilliant due to the spectacular performance of Edward Norton, who throughout the film was convincing enough to allow as to believe that he truly had this schizophrenic condition, and his contemptible glee upon revealing his secret to Richard Gere's character, now that he is above prosecution.
Primal Fear discusses insanity from the outside, showing how society and primarily the law interacts with it. We see how easy it is for the system to be fooled and abused, along with ourselves the audience. There is also an extra detail in the ending which few seem to pick up on, Norton is still a psychopath. He was still a man capable of brutal murder and manipulation with remorse, even though his dual personality didn't exist. This detail gives commentary to how insanity is catagorised, and how easy a murderous monster can be confused with an innocent person with an unfortunate illness is really brought into question. I love this little gem of a film, and how rich and full of detail it's twist truly is.
By Jack D. Phillips
A Zoom Film List
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