Review of Silence (2016) by Themovieman1975 — 26 Jan 2017

Beautiful, moving, challenging, thought-provoking, and exhausting - Silence is another spiritual masterpiece from Martin Scorsese that dares to ask questions about the nature of God's mission, and lets the viewer ponder their own answers. Masterfully acted and filmed, Silence deftly balances both the beauty and suffering of faith, while placing it in the context of challenging authoritarianism and bigotry, while offering hope to the most despondent and marginalized of people. Based on a true events, the film reveals a relatively unknown part of history and totally deconstructs any mythical romanticism of 17th century feudal Japan. The depictions of the brutal enforcement of anti-religious laws are tough to watch, and equally demanding is the premise posited that should faith be an inner monologue or should it be proclaimed aloud and shared with those who hunger for spiritual grace? Silence offers these very existential questions framed against the backdrop of genocide and cultural divisions/segregation. Martin Scorsese has never made a film that was less than merely excellent. Silence is yet another oeuvre in the filmography of one of the greatest artists of our time. Such a shame that Hollywood has turned it's back on this film, giving it no market supports and snubbing it for the Academy Awards.

Silence, without questions, should be considered for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, 2 Best Supporting Actors, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Costume, and Best Sound. But yet again, Scorsese is just too cool for Hollywood school.

Silence - 10/10. Top 3 Best Films of 2016.