Silence of the Lambs and the 3 Act Structure

The film, "The Silence of the Lambs" (Demme, 1991), is in my opinion a paradigm for the Hollywood three-act structure. The first act in a film serves as the exposition by introducing the characters, their surroundings and their relationships. "Silence of the Lambs" begins with the explanation of the main characters, including Clarice, the FBI agent in training; Jack Crawford, the detective assigned to the case; Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the cannibal psychiatrist; and Buffalo Bill, the serial killer whom Clarice and Crawford are attempting to catch. The audience is first introduced to Clarice inside the police headquarters, and she is quickly briefed by Crawford on her assignment: to interview Dr. Lecter and to find any information that can relate to the recent murders. After this encounter, Clarice begins the arduous process of interviewing Hannibal in the prison. In these first 30 minutes, the audience gains insight on the characters, and the events that will presumably follow.
Immediately at 30 minutes in, a complication arises that will become the main plot-point for the remainder of the film: Catherine Martin is kidnapped in front of her apartment by Buffalo Bill. The stakes are heightened because Catherine Martin is 25 year old the daughter of Senator Ruth Martin. This event propels the action the next act, as the focus is shifted to finding Catherine at all costs. Additionally, this event asks a question that the next act will eventually answer: will Catherine Martin be found in time.
Later in the film, around the 87th minute, Clarice comes to the realization of what Bill's motive is, and she immediately dials Crawford. However, Crawford is on a plane heading to capture Bill. It is believed that Crawford has knowledge of Bill's location, and that they are hours away from making an arrest. This action spurs the film's resolution. The audience believes that everything is going to end well with an arrest by Crawford and the FBI. This ends the second act of chasing Bill and gaining new insight into his actions and whereabouts. Despite this assurance, there still lies the complication of successfully arresting him, and bringing Catherine to safety.
In the film's resolution, Crawford rushes to the supposed hiding place of Bill while Clarice believes she is going to Mrs. Lipman's house to inquire about the death of a girl. Soon, the FBI has Bill's supposed house surrounded, ready for an ambush. Throughout the resolution, numerous complications arise: the FBI has the wrong house, and infact Clarice is face to face with Buffalo Bill; Catherine takes Bill's dog hostage; and Catherine is soon forced to fend for herself in Bill's darkened and convoluted basement. The audience is left wondering: will Clarice escape unscathed and kill Buffalo Bill.
Finally in the 103rd minute, Clarice finally resolves the problem, and shoots Bill in his basement. Soon after, the FBI and police arrive and safely rescue Catherine from captivity. Clarice is then seen receiving her FBI badge, and graduating from training. Crawford then congratulates her on a job well done.The film soon ends with Dr. Lecter walking away from the law, in an unknown location. The final act, or the resolution has ended, and the audience can go home satisfied. The ending also depicts each of the main characters' probable futures.