SILENCE

Directed by: Martin Scorsese.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Tadanobu Asano, Liam Neeson.
MPAA Rating: R.
Running time: 161 min.


Martin Scorsese and faith is something of a kind. I remember this dialogue in Mean Street: “You don’t make up for your sins in the church.” which shows a struggle of faith and reality in life. 

Two Jesuit padre from Portugal, Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Garupe (Adam Driver) tries to seek their teacher, Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who was once in Japan and told to have left his faith.

This is feudal Japan in the 17th century, any depiction of Catholicism is banned. These Jesuit padres must face scrutiny and suffering. This is a hellish situation which is not gore in depiction but question the very nature of faith and iconoclasm.

The film’s last hour is by far its most challenging and thought provoking. Those who used to flaunt their faiths via icons will be slightly offended. At the end of the day, it is not on how you display your faith, but how you keep it inside, secured from prying eyes and believing in silence. Scorsese is a master, and although this one is not his finest, still managed to dive deep into the soul.