Silence: Faith and Doubt

Over darkness, we hear environmental sounds like chirping, sound goes on increasing... and then it turns to 'SILENCE' in synch with the title card.

Well, it isn't a film from the Director of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Wolf of Wall Street. It's pure 'The Martin Scorsese' film.

Why I'm saying so? Many of audience get surprised after watching Silence that how could director shifts from his core genre of Crime-Drama to something Religious. For those, I would like to say that the answer lies in his past. He was very much influenced by Religion and Cinema. And when his great Passion about Religion comes across Ambition of Cinema... That's Silence!

17th-century...
Christianity is biggest threat for Japan.

Two Portuguese Jesuits, Father Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Garrpe (Adam Driver) are being read the letter, that Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson) eventually apostatized to avoid being tortured and now lives in Japan in an arranged marriage. The two Portuguese priests do not believe this because they have huge impact of Father Ferreira's thoughts and determination. They are being dispatched for Dangerous mission to minister the Christians hiding in Japan but now they also want to find out the truth about Father Ferreira.

It's not an Easy trip. It's suffocating, high on pain, emotions, brutality and all which come across, not only for the characters in film but for audience too. And the credit goes to Scorsese and co-writer Jay Cocks that this weight feels real and tangible. 

Silence is praised everywhere for its Cinematography. And it's well deserved. Though I watched it on small screen, I can appreciate its Beauty. Every frame in the film is fulfilled with utmost love and Perfection. Each and every frame wants to say something beyond that visuals. My favorite quote of Scorsese: ''Cinema is matter of what's in the frame and what's out.'' is truly satisfied with this. But still I wish to watch this for many times to grasp the meaning of each single frame from its Visual and Philosophical aspect.

It also excels in Sound Design, BG score, editing and all other technical aspects.
Performance from all lead and supporting actors is strong Pillar of Silence.
Andrew Garfield is the one who redefined the word 'Contrast'. In Hacksaw Ridge, the Christian spirit was a source of limitless strength. It was the solution to the problem at hand for his character. In Silence, by contrast, Garfield faces the much heavier challenge. Here, Christian spirit and faith might turn into a problem. But still he is Phenomenal.

Liam Neeson and Adam Driver have small roles. But they are really good.
According to me, the real stars are the Japanese cast, from Yōsuke Kubozuka, Issey Ogata, Shinya Tsukamoto to Tadanobu Asano everybody did their role with Perfection.

This all constitutes a film of rare, unified vision.

But, but... Apart from its Cinematic excellence, what makes it so special and Different from rest is the Subject which is handled. Though the film sets in 17th century, it can be easily related to present time. It is beyond the boundaries of space and time. Silence lighten up all hidden aspect of Faith like strength, weakness, depth, limitations and Doubt. It doesn't stand with someone and lead the battle. It just stays neutral and shows all possibilities.
Silence stuns us as we are Silent to these questions...
What purpose does faith serve? 
Does Faith provide absolute pleasure?
Strong love for God, could be same as Faith?
Where do our hearts and minds diverge?

What do you hear in the silence?