Silence Review

Before the movie started, during the trailers, I was talking with my friend. I'm sure many of you do this when watching a movie at the cinema too. Out of nowhere a lady told us stop talking so she could properly hear all the trailers from the movies likely to disappoint coming out in March. That was the first silence for this screening. Why am I telling you this? It has nothing to do with reviewing the movie. Well, it's my only problems I had with Silence. The movie has some excellent scenes, I'll never deny that but the ones between are where the movie's weak points are.

Silence is about two Jesuit priests (Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield) who travel to Japan to rescue another priest, Father Ferreira, as he has rumored to denounce the faith of Christianity after the religion is banned in Japan. When Driver and Garfield first arrive in Japan they spend time restoring Christianity in the town that they harbor in as leaving the town and being seen would almost certainly lead to death. Once the pair have settled in the authorities get word that the forbidden religion is being practiced and they go out to investigate.

Scorsese's direction of his films normally come with a fair dose of vigour and relentless energy but here he shows he more nuanced side. A more in your face Scorsese would never work for a film about themes of religion so as a first time viewer to any of his work that rests more on such themes, it's certainly refreshing. Religion has always played a part not only in Scorsese's film work (and yes that includes movies like Goodfellas) but here it's the driving force of every character in way or another.

Just because you might not be Catholic or Buddhist, doesn’t mean you won't relate to the characters or the movie. The movie's real conflict is truly an internal one. It's a conflict of morals. There are many scenes that are driven by moral choices, especially death. And if you're familiar with the concept of life you know that death goes hand in hand with it and that it's a universal idea that has multiple interpretations. Scorsese wants to involve you in the choices that characters make and get you to ask yourself "what would you do?".

The cinematography category at the Oscars this year is another tough one. Silence is on the same level as other nominees La La Land, Moonlight, and Arrival (Lion had some 'nice' shots). Last year I thought Carol, the least favorite to win should've won and hear I'm gonna have to make a case of the least favorite once again. Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography is one that is always fulfilling but where I think it has the slight edge on it's competition is how it uses perspective and subjectivity. Most the time we are viewers to the film but just at the right moment the cinematography changes perspective. I don't think the intimate Moonlight managed to this as well.

David Lean has said that when people watch a great sequence and they comment on how great the cinematography it's not really the cinematography. It's the editing and with Thelma Schoonmaker doing the editing, I was never in doubt that it was going to be weak. I should warn you that this movie is slow. I've never been bothered by a slow paced film if it feels right for the story and characters. The scenes that really stood out for me were the ones where when we are really given a chance to get an inside view of the characters. Some of scenes might be slow and for some painful to watch.

Scorsese's films are known for their strong performances and Garfield, Driver and Neeson definitely aren't an exception to this rule. While I haven't seen Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge I think I can safely assume that this is the superior performance. Garfield is an actor who can truly has an ability to show a range of emotions. From aggressive to defeated, Garfield does this all seamlessly. Garfield is the lead actor in the film but with Adam Driver's performance early on you really don't know who is. When Liam Neeson turns up he proves why he's more than just an action star giving a great nuanced performance of a man holding something back.

Silence isn't a film for all but for the ones patient enough to sit through it should find something special.

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Overall Score: 9/10

What did you think of Silence?

Silence is in limited release

Director: Martin Scorsese

Writers: Jay Cocks & Martin Scorsese

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Yosuke Kubozuka and Issei Ogata

Cinematography: Rodrigo Perito

Editing: Thelma Schoonmaker

Music: Kathryn and Kim Allen Kluge