Its all about the framing

the movie silence of the lambs was ground breaking and so was it's use of cinematography. Through the use of point of view shots the aduence is given a look at what the person is thinking and adds subtle clues and hint about their true intention are. What makes the scene look so thrilling is the matching of the eye line that gives people the idea that they are on equal terms then the dynamic quickly changes and gives one the edge then it switches back and forth till Hannibal gives up what the girl wants but at the same time it is given as a insult. With out the camera angles and the direct eye line there is no doubt that that scene would have lost most of its drama.

I'll just come out and say it I don't get it. I don't know what is but i don't get how the idea of lining up eye lines became so important to films did some one just go "hey lets try this" and everyone was just like "OK" and it worked or what. Be sides my general curiosity what the concept origin I don't under stand how the way the angle of how you film the character changes the scene, I except that it works but it doesn't mean it makes sense.