Review of Silenced (2011) by Stanley C — 22 Nov 2016

Silenced is difficult to watch, and it should be. Unsettlingly graphic but important exposé of the abuse of hearing-impaired children in Korea stirs the emotions in the most elemental way. Silenced's greatest strength is the performances of its young stars, all of whom do powerful, heartbreaking work. And yes, drama goofball Gong Yoo is also good. But the film belongs to the child actors, who transcend the controversial subject by conveying such a complex combination of pain, confusion and resilience one instantly roots for them. A court scene where Yeon-du outwits an intimidating lawyer by turning her hearing impairment into an advantage is an unabashedly uplifting moment. The fact that this storyline is based on a real life experience makes it all the more chilling. This movie doesn't aim to entertain. It aims to tell you the reality - as it is. Parts of this movie will make your skin crawl, and other parts will make you want to throw something very hard. It is not an easy ride, this film. The abuse is harrowing to watch, though restrained and in no way explicit in execution. The raw and critical illumination of Korean society's deficiencies filmed on the basis of the suffering of individual characters and also the added fact that all of this is based on a true story makes Silenced an extraordinary drama.

VERDICT: "High-Quality Stuff" - [Positive Reaction] This is a rating to a movie I view as very entertaining and well made, and definitely worth paying the full price at a theatre to see or own on DVD. It is not perfect, but it is definitely excellent. (Films that are rated 3.5 or 4 stars).