woodsy
Super Freak
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- Feb 6, 2007
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So how many of those "psychopaths" were sophisticated, super intellects? Remember, Lecter is just as dangerous with what he can do mentally, as well as physically. He's an aristocrat who enjoys the finer things in life and being a world-class psychiatrist can afford them but just happens to eat flesh as well. Seems like you're trying to drag Lecter down to the level of a stereotypical nutjob like Richard Ramirez, David Bercowitz or more appropriately Richard Chase (the Dracula Killer) and in doing so, fail in the comparison.
I'm not trying to drag Hopkins version of Lecter down to any level whatsoever. I am merely saying according to my wife, and the psych doctors and other nurses she works with, that Hopkins portrayal of a psychopath was more on the Hollywood caricature side and less on the accurate side. And the one thing every single mental health worker will tell you is that mental illness does not discriminate based on social standing, wealth or intelligence. My wife has worked with people from every walk of life from stay at home moms to former police officers, doctors, lawyers, teachers and CEO's of successful companies.
Look, I love watching Hopkins as Lecter as much as anyone, but I take his performance with a grain of salt. If you want to believe his portrayal is accurate based on the fact he won an Oscar go ahead, I'll stick with the opinions of mental health professionals myself.