[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jonathan_demme.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:He's the one on the left]]

Robert Jonathan Demme (February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker and a documentarian.

He is known for directing such films as ''[[Film/MelvinAndHoward Melvin and Howard]]'' (1980), ''Film/SomethingWild'' (1986), ''Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs'' (1991), ''Film/{{Philadelphia}}'' (1993), and ''Film/RachelGettingMarried'' (2008).

Aside from feature films, Demme was also a music lover and his filmography also includes concert films, music videos, and documentaries. He re-defined the concert film with the innovative Music/TalkingHeads' ''Film/StopMakingSense'' (1984).

Demme has gained a cult following among film buffs. However, he did not achieve mainstream success until he made ''Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs'' (1991), where it managed to grab both audiences and critics and became one of only three films[[note]]the others being ''Film/ItHappenedOneNight'' and ''Film/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest''[[/note]] to win the "Big Five"[[note]]Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, Screenplay[[/note]] Academy Awards. Today it has been cited as one of the greatest films ever made.

Creator/PaulThomasAnderson has cited Demme as a major influence on his work.

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!!Feature filmography:
[[index]]
* ''Film/BlackMamaWhiteMama'' (1973) (original story only)
* ''Film/CagedHeat'' (1974)
* ''Film/CrazyMama'' (1975)
* ''Film/{{Fighting Mad|1976}}'' (1976)
* ''Film/HandleWithCare'' (aka ''Citizen's Band'') (1977)
* "[[Recap/ColumboS07E02 Murder Under Glass]]" (1978), an episode of ''Series/{{Columbo}}''
* ''Film/LastEmbrace'' (1979)
* ''Film/MelvinAndHoward'' (1980)
* ''Film/SwingShift'' (1984)
* ''Film/StopMakingSense'' (1984)
* Music video for Music/NewOrder's [[Music/LowLife "The Perfect Kiss"]] (1985)
* ''Film/SomethingWild'' (1986)
* ''Film/SwimmingToCambodia'' (1987)
* ''Film/MarriedToTheMob'' (1988)
* ''Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs'' (1991)
* ''Film/{{Philadelphia}}'' (1993)
* ''Film/{{Beloved}}'' (1998)
* ''Film/TheTruthAboutCharlie'' (2002)
* ''Film/TheManchurianCandidate'' (2004)
* ''Film/RachelGettingMarried'' (2008)
* ''Film/AMasterBuilder'' (2013)
* ''Film/RickiAndTheFlash'' (2015)
[[/index]]

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!!Demme's films include the following tropes:

* GenreRoulette: Never met a genre he didn't like.
* SignatureShot: Demme's films from 1986–2004 were defined by their use of close-ups in which a character looks directly into the lens. Unlike examples of BreakingTheFourthWall, the character is not typically supposed to be aware of or addressing the audience. Demme used them as a way to either put the audience in the character's shoes or show the impact of how a character feels at the moment. ''Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs'' is a great example of both. Demme discusses the use of the close-up in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXT0WOUceak this interview (starting at 6:12)]]. A montage of his close-ups can be seen [[https://vimeo.com/126757480 here]].
* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: Arguably could go in either direction. He directed films that can be more on the cynical end, but he also directed more heartfelt films as well. ''Film/StopMakingSense'', for instance, is often considered one of the most earnest concert films out there, with a major emphasis on the fact that Music/TalkingHeads really did love their work.
* TomHanksSyndrome: With ''Film/TheSilenceOfTheLambs.'' Appropriately enough, he directed the [[{{Film/Philadelphia}} film that was the Trope Codifier as well.]]

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