Review: Silence

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Our mission is not complete.

In the late 1500's Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson) is no longer sending updates from Japan, where he was trying to spread Christianity. Fathers Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Garupe (Adam Driver) travel from Portugal to Japan in secret to find out what happened to him after hearing what they think is slander. Christianity is outlawed in Japan, and while there's was a few believers who shelter Rodrigues and Garupe, there was even more trials for them.

At this point, we all know this was a passion project 20+ years in the making for director Martin Scorcese. Having loved all of his films, I can say this one wasn't for me. Don't get me wrong, Silence is not a bad film but for me it was a very boring one. It's easily the most un-Scorcese film I've ever seen. There's a few shots here and there that are very "him" but otherwise he approaches this film completely different. The thing for me was that the story just wasn't very strong and felt repetitive. Rodrigues has his faith tested, is betrayed and tortured, or watches someone else get tortured because of him. Rinse, repeat. 

If there's one thing that is truly amazing, it's Andrew Garfield's performance. I thought he was better here than he was in Hacksaw Ridge, which he's Oscar nominated for. Someone should scratch out that title and replace it with Silence. I feel a bit cheated though, because I was looking forward to Adam Driver and in a nearly three hour movie he's in it for maybe 20 minutes. Liam Neeson even less. Performance wise they're all strong, even though those accents are hard to get used to. Liam doesn't even attempt one, I guess that comes with being a long time actor? Nana Komatsu, Tadanobu Asano, Shin'ya Tsukamoto, and Yôsuke Kubozuka also give stand out performances in their little amounts of screen time. 

The film's lone Oscar nomination is for cinematography, which is definitely deserves, but Silence left me wanting, well... less. I wanted to be moved by it, but I wasn't. 

Recommended: Only because it's Scorcese.

Grade: C+

Memorable quote: "You want me to hear your confession?" - Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield)

Comments

  1. Often Off TopicJanuary 31, 2017 at 7:49 AM

    Brittani noooooo! Adam Driver was the only reason I was going to bring myself to see this but only 20 minutes?! Ugh!

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 31, 2017 at 8:06 AM

      He is barely in it and gets jack to do. It's really disappointing how he isn't fleshed out at all.

      Delete
  2. Kevin PowersJanuary 31, 2017 at 9:49 AM

    This movie is part masterpiece, part slog. I've never shifted in my seat more during a Scorsese movie. The last hour is the masterpiece part, by the way. Garfield was great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 31, 2017 at 8:55 PM

      Garfield was. I hate that's he's Oscar nominated for Hacksaw Ridge after seeing the performance he gave here.

      Delete
  3. BirgitJanuary 31, 2017 at 1:44 PM

    I do want to see this because it is less like Scorsese. I disliked Wolf of Wall Street and Goodfellas because the people are just sooo ugly and the language and all is too much and I can swear like a sailor! I have heard it is a bit long and...boring but I do want to see this

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 31, 2017 at 8:55 PM

      lol I loved WOWS. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to cry at one point.

      Delete
    2. BirgitFebruary 2, 2017 at 11:33 AM

      i did laugh at many areas especially when he thought he drove home without hurting the car only to see that was not true:)

      Delete
    3. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 2, 2017 at 12:06 PM

      Yes! That entire quaaludes scene. I thought I was going to die. lol

      Delete
  4. m.brownJanuary 31, 2017 at 2:06 PM

    After I was blindsided by the preview for this when I saw Fences (I hadn't heard a thing about it), I was desperate to finally see Silence. But then word spread and it was....eh? I couldn't believe it. Still can't.

    Good review...even if I was really, really hoping you'd like it. Wah Wahhhhh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 31, 2017 at 8:54 PM

      I loved the trailer, it looked good. I just wanted to like it more. I'm greedy.

      Delete
  5. thevoid99January 31, 2017 at 6:11 PM

    I do want to see this because of the subject matter and it's Scorsese but it just got pulled from my local multiplex last weekend. :(

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2017 at 8:48 PM

    I thought it was great. It definitely is long and slow, contemplative like a conversation with god. Which it was.

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamJanuary 31, 2017 at 8:52 PM

      I'm glad you liked it. I wish I would've enjoyed it more.

      Delete
  7. KhalidJanuary 31, 2017 at 10:43 PM

    Couldn't agree more. This just didn't connect with me for some reason. The long intellectual conversation just failed to move me. Maybe I need a rewatch to appreciate it more. But personally I felt it needed a little more time in the editing room. Rodrigo Prieto's cinematography is definitely outstanding though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 1, 2017 at 7:06 AM

      I agree about the editing room and the cinematography. I did want to hear this spiritual conversation but it just didn't move me like I wanted it to.

      Delete
  8. Courtney YoungFebruary 1, 2017 at 3:33 PM

    Oy vey...your review confirms what I suspected. The only thing really clinging on to my interest was Scorsese. Other than that, I had zero interest in seeing this. Great review, but I'll probably pass on this one :(

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    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamFebruary 2, 2017 at 6:42 AM

      I'm really bummed out because I wanted to love it more for him. It's not bad, just definitely an acquired taste and one I don't have.

      Delete

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