Review of Silence (2017) by Ryan H — 21 Jan 2017

The critical reaction to this exceptional movie - it is most certainly not a "masterpiece" - is amusing to anyone like myself who has honestly wrestled with the demands of faith and belief. Most of the reviews I have read so far insist that Scorsese does not answer the question at the center of the film: does God hear us? But he clearly does, at the very end, in the final image. That ending is hinted at at various points, said hints also clear to anyone who takes their religious struggles - past or present - honestly and without evasion. Understanding Scorsese's answer is the key to unlocking the movie's greatest power.

But religiosity is not the only issue the great director tackles in this film. The other question is whether a person's core beliefs - whatever they may be, religious or political - can survive a sustained effort at breaking them. The last ten minutes of the movie and, again, the final image, suggest that they can, but only with terrible sacrifice and pain. I believe that the characters of Ferreira and Rodrigues stand as opposing examples of how and whether such survival is possible.

That all of this plays against stunningly beautiful backdrops is a testament both to Scorsese's vision as a filmmaker and his skill in choosing outstanding collaborators. The performances are all first rate, although I found the voice and interpretation of Inquisitor Inoue to be annoying and cliched; indeed, the performance - if not the character - is better suited to a Bond movie. Otherwise Silence is nearly flawless. I cannot recommend it enough.