This film is based in portuguese Jesuit priests, they could at least choose one portuguese actor for this. But maybe American-British actors can represente the influence of west europe in Japan.
The movie made me feel compassion for the missionaries, the villagers and even made me understand why a government would go to such lengths to "murder" an idea. Even though I believe that both sides are wrong, the government being the worst of it, doing to the extreme to stop indoctrination and the church trying to pass their believes as the only truth that, for me, is totally taking advantage of people who are in a almost complete state of despair.
But you cannot stop the feels, even if you don't believe, you can fully enjoy this movie.
A great movie...Andrew Garfield is an amazing actor......good on you mate for taking this movie on...an amazing movie
I remember watching this when it came out and thought it was ok but after a rewatch I'm kind of blown away. This is a fantastic look into religion, faith and how far we will go for something we believe in. Andrew Garfield gives an amazing performance. Adam Driver and Issei Ogata are both great too. I wish they had more screen time. The movie looks beautiful and is incredibly shot. It is a little long and slow in parts but that's not a huge problem. Now this has become one of my favorite Scorsese's films.
I am not a believer. Never have, never will be. And I know exactly why.
Technically a good movie, though.
Thought-provoking film about the value of faith for humans. Incredibly made, with beautiful cinematography.
"Silence is the loudest cry for love". - SilentDawn
The story of "Silence" fellows two Jesuit priests, Sebastião Rodrigues and Francis Garrpe, who travel to seventeenth century Japan which has, under the Tokugawa shogunate, banned Catholicism and almost all foreign contact.
This was tough. Seriously, this was the hardest thing I've ever digest in terms of progressing my thoughts. It's so mesmerizing with so many things going on at once that it takes awhile to sink in. Gets you thinking on a subject that you wasn't originally interested in. A movie that leaves you completely paralyze of reacting or forming a sentence to describe what you just witness. But after four days of letting it sink in, it has been settled.
What I love about "Silence" is that it doesn't judge-the potential arrogance & imperialism of missionary work. It doesn't make you pick aside to root for, but understand where both sides are coming from. It's up to you - the audience, to decide if their actions are right or wrong.
"Silence" is easily one of best movies of 2016. A film in which you get so involved of whats going on that it stays with you long after it's over. It's one of Scorsese's finest achievement of his career.
For almost 30 years, Scorsese has been trying to get Shusaku Endo novel "Silence" made. You see, Scorsese grow up Catholic and had desire to become a priest at a young age. So the book deeply moved him in a personal way. But the reason why he couldn't get it made sooner is because he wasn't ready to take on anything like this. To him, this was something big and challenging. So all these years he tried to really think how a story like this could be cinematic.
Martin Scorsese is my favorite director and every movie he makes, I'm there. I haven't seen all of his movies yet, but those are for a special time. Now people have ask the question of who's the best living director working today - It's Scorsese all the way. While Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott will always be legends, but Marty doesn't just make a movie to stay relevant or just do it for the sake of it. You can see the passion behind every film he done. "Silence" is no different. It's a deeply spiritual film and has multiple layers of meanings. Marty reminds us of that old cinema we love.
Andrew Garfield was absolutely fantastic in this movie. Garfield once again proves that he's a great actor. His performance was emotionally striking and he nailed the character down. It a real shame that he got nominated for "Hacksaw Ridge" and not this. I thought he was far better in "Silence". Because he starts off 100% dedicated to his own faith, but towards the end he's a complete wreck. The challenges he had to face was more compelling and soul crushing to watch.
Adam Driver and Liam Neeson were also great. Driver performance was natural and tremendous that you see the deep passion he's character had for faith. Neeson doesn't have a big role, but his presence on the story is immense and unique.
All the Japanese cast were all stellar. Especially Issei Ogata and Yôsuke Kubozuka. Those two were the stand outs for me. Ogata character can be best describe as Christoph Waltz from "Inglourious Basterds", as he's both comedic and menacing. Kubozuka broke my heart a couple of times, as the cowardly Christian who keeps letting others down many times. But when he begs for forgiveness, it's hard not to fall into that routine again.
The score for this movie is quite interesting. I say "interesting" because there's not much music, but sounds. Nature sounds you would here in the Forrest or a swamp. It's a score that creeps into my head and psychological effects you.
Rodrigo Prieto cinematography in this movie was just flawless. The look of Japan has this foggy, warmth, and damp look to it. Prieto captures the cruelty and the hidden beauty to it.
Unfortunately, this isn't going to be for everyone and I've already seen different sides. It ask questions more than answers. Quite honestly, I glad it dose. As it opens to discussions with others and gets you talking. You know, like a movie should.
And yes it may be frustrating for some, but I think that's the right reaction that a movie like this should have. A movie that puts you in the shoes of what the characters going through and their main struggles. If all that is perfectly captured on film, it's less than a negative, but more of an achievement. For a 2 hour and 41 minute movie, it never dragged for me.
Overall rating: "Silence" touches every rope of your mind and soul. This is one of those movies which may not be appreciated until many years later, for those who can grasp the true heart and meaning of this film, it's a transcendent experience. I was captivated from start to finish.
Hail Scorsese!
so long and so boring, waste of time
Some really great dialogues and the actors (especially most Japanese) were very convincing. But those rich scenes are rare and the last half hour is rather lame, so ultimately the film doesn't feel very rewarding.
Great piece of work. Script managed to put two religions face to face but no side taken, barely no parciality exhibited IMO, which is a hard to achieve feature on a movie or book. Several interesting details exposed of the amazing, divergent and arguably brutal Japanese ancient culture. A gentle touch in crucial history with multiple mentions to Portugal, Spain and Dutch, thrown into the mix. Great staging by the cast. Even the title Silence that is two-fold reflecting the silence from the villagers and secrecy as well as the silence from God himself.
Although the acting and direction are both great, this is the most boring movie I have ever watched.
"Silence" is like religion: well-intentioned, fine for some, and a bit long winded. The grand ideals this film takes on are lost in a lack of editing that would both shorten the movie and help to focus it. Sadly, this Oscar vehicle for Andrew Garfield doesn't really go anywhere after it runs out of gas halfway through.
"Silence is the loudest cry for love". - SilentDawn
This was tough. Seriously, this was the hardest thing I've ever digest in terms of progressing my thoughts. It's so mesmerizing with so many things going on at once that it takes awhile to sink in. Gets you thinking on a subject that you wasn't originally interested in. A movie that leaves you completely paralyze of reacting or forming a sentence to describe what you just witness. But after four days of letting it sink in, it has been settled.
What I love about "Silence" is that it doesn't judge-the potential arrogance & imperialism of missionary work. It doesn't make you pick aside to root for, but understand where both sides are coming from. It's up to you - the audience, to decide if their actions are right or wrong.
"Silence" is easily one of best movies of 2016. A film in which you get so involved of whats going on that it stays with you long after it's over. It's one of Scorsese's finest achievement of his career.
For almost 30 years, Scorsese has been trying to get Shusaku Endo novel "Silence" made. You see, Scorsese grow up Catholic and had desire to become a priest at a young age. So the book deeply moved him in a personal way. But the reason why he couldn't get it made sooner is because he wasn't ready to take on anything like this. To him, this was something big and challenging. So all these years he tried to really think how a story like this could be cinematic.
Martin Scorsese is my favorite director and every movie he makes, I'm there. I haven't seen all of his movies yet, but those are for a special time. Now people have ask the question of who's the best living director working today - It's Scorsese all the way. While Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott will always be legends, but Marty doesn't just make a movie to stay relevant or just do it for the sake of it. You can see the passion behind every film his done. "Silence" is no different. It's a deeply spiritual film and has multiple layers of meanings. Marty reminds us of that old cinema we love.
Andrew Garfield was absolutely fantastic in this movie. Garfield once again proves that he's a great actor. His performance was emotionally striking and he nailed the character down. It a real shame that he got nominated for "Hacksaw Ridge" and not this. I thought he was far better in "Silence". Because he starts off 100% dedicated to his own faith, but towards the end he's a complete wreck. The challenges he had to face was more compelling and soul crushing to watch.
Adam Driver and Liam Neeson were also great. Driver performance was natural and tremendous that you see the deep passion he's character had for faith. Neeson doesn't have a big role, but his presence on the story is immense and unique.
All the Japanese cast were all stellar. Especially Issei Ogata and Yôsuke Kubozuka. Those two were the stand outs for me. Ogata character can be best describe as Christoph Waltz from "Inglourious Basterds", as he's both comedic and menacing. Kubozuka broke my heart a couple of times, as the cowardly Christian who keeps letting others down many times. But when he begs for forgiveness, it's hard not to fall into that routine again.
The score for this movie is quite interesting. I say "interesting" because there's not much music, but sounds. Nature sounds you would here in the Forrest or a swamp. It's a score that creeps into my head and psychological effects you.
Rodrigo Prieto cinematography in this movie was just flawless. The look of Japan has this foggy, warmth, and damp look to it. Prieto captures the cruelty and the hidden beauty to it.
Unfortunately, this isn't going to be for everyone and I've already seen different sides. It ask questions more than answers. Quite honestly, I glad it dose. As it opens to discussions with others and gets you talking. You know, like a movie should.
And yes it may be frustrating for some, but I think that's the right reaction that a movie like this should have. A movie that puts you in the shoes of what the characters going through and their main struggles. If all that is perfectly captured on film, it's less than a negative, but more of an achievement. For a 2 hour and 41 minute movie, it never dragged for me.
Overall rating: "Silence" touches every rope of your mind and soul. This is one of those movies which may not be appreciated until many years later, for those who can grasp the true heart and meaning of this film, it's a transcendent experience. I was captivated from start to finish.
well done, but way too much torture. didn't anything else happen besides torture?
Kylo Ren is a floater hahaha
Worst movie from M.S.
Boring AS, totally dissapointing.
Faith in Jesus and His Church hardened after watching this testimony of love.
Not bad but far from great... As expected Andrew's performance falls flat as it does in all films.
The western cast is not good enough to carry a slow burn historic film. It's not just meh but aweful at times.
The Japanese casting and landscapes are 100% carrying this movie and even than it barely makes a 6.
Great follow up to Shogun being set around 30-40 years after the show ends.
Slow, no music, beautiful nature.
These Portuguese Jesuits did not have much of a vocation as martyrs.
I understand why this is not a popular Scorsese picture. It requires patience. But for me, it's a masterpiece. And I'm not even religious.
Very nice, deep but very long. Not a easy film.
Episode 10x07
Martin Scorsese brought us this movie a few years ago, long, as we are used to. It is not bad but it is done, well, long, since in the end it is to return to the same thing over and over and over and over again ... it is torture for the protagonist priest and for the viewer who ends up a little fed up. You can skip it, especially if religion bores you.
Neeson acting was terrible, a real drag for a good movie. He loses the faith the same way he speaks with a mafia head.
Neeson acting is pathetic, he weakened the plot in a perfect movie. Giving up faith is NOT like roaming prosti.tutes in the streets of paris or talking to the serbian mafia. Hard to believe he is the same actor of schindlers list.
Silence does what heaps of religious propaganda movies around the world couldn't do. Not disingenuously defend its faith but, put it into hardest of trails, kill it and rise up from the dead again. Shows the inherent problem with christian missions yet, invites you closer to its faith. May not turn you christian but will definitely offer one of the most compelling argument cinema ever had to offer.
Extremely powerful and beautifully filmed. Although slow, sometimes at a snails pace, the story is intriguing and painful to watch. And although this is from the perspective of Christians being denied the right to practice in Japan, it highlights the plight of any person that is denied the right to be what they truly are, especially when that being does no harm to other people. Flash forward 4 or 8 years and my fear is that this is very easy to make in the US about anyone that doesn't confirm to the current governments stance on conformity.
In the immortal words of Homer Simpson... boooooooo-ring.
Scorsese continues his journey into the heart of religion. Not surprisingly, he originally intended to go into the priesthood before he turned to directing. I think he is grappling with the questions many of us ask of God, and he puts them on film as a way to provoke thought. As a film, this is an accomplished piece of film making, with a career best turn from Garfield. Some of the acts of brutality are a rival to anything the director gave us in Goodfellas and the like, but they are offset by scenes of beauty, and glimpses of hope, despite the horror. This isn't a film for everyone, through content and length, but it is an ultimately rewarding for film for anybody brave and patient enough to sit through to the end.
As a person of faith myself, this was both an interesting film to watch, and a pointer towards introspection. When faced with torture, would I renounce my faith? I would like to think the answer would be 'no.' Sadly, the persecution of Christians around the world continues to this day, and many are faced with the same situation. For those with or without faith, there is one question. Where is God? As with the movie's title, sometimes it seem there is only silence. I don't believe God is absent during times of persecution, but rather His heart is filled with sorrow at the suffering of His people. Why doesn't He intervene? I am not able to answer, but my faith is not diminished as a result. In this world, man is guilty of acts of great evil, and such is the consequence of free will.
Best movie of 2016 hands down. I cannot get though my head how people think La La Land and Moonlight were better than Silence. A masterpiece, you should watch it!
For me, Silence is a tough movie. Tough to watch, tough to digest, tough to judge.
As with Manchester by the Sea, with Silence we get more or less a character studies, but this time from a person who makes a shocking change in his live, having a 180 degree change of belives, which are enforced of course by outer conditions, but it still happens.
The title Silence is quite literal; you'll experience whole passages that are without any noise and only show images, sometimes still images, sometimes beautiful scenary. We get some great sets and beautiful shots, the camera work is phenomenal, absolutely great. In many parts the movie tires and manages to convey feelings and emotions only by the use of excellent camera work and succeeds (e.g. the feeling of both lonelyness, cold and hunger, as well as being lost and hopeless, by showing how Garfield sleeps leaning against a stone first in closeup then in a wide angle shot).
Besides these great things, the movie is mainly driven by Garfields thoughts and his prayers and letters and diaries which are conveyed by narrating them offscreen. And here starts my critics, because as for an great director as Scorsese it would have been easy to tell us a lot of what is told us only by narration by using moving pictures. By narrating it, it starts getting extremely slow, and boring, because it us extremly long and a lot that is narrated. All in all the action is at a minimal, interaction with other people is reduced to mainly dialogues (which are of course much more interesting than the monotonous narrator), and I got the feeling that a lot could have been told much faster. Therefore watching the movie becomes cumbersome and that is really sad, because the movie actually has so much to offer.
We get the afore mentioned great camera work. We also have Andrew Garfield, who is at the peak of his acting skills - this guy is extremly good - I enjoyed him in a number of other movies and was aware of his greatness long before but this is probably his best acting piece yet. We also have an interesting story about percecution of Christians in Japan which I had known nothing about before; and this movie has absolutely great food for thought - raises a lot of hard questions without giving any answers to them and the best of all: It doesn't even judge. You can feel for both sides - of course you have the classical villain and the classical hero at first glance - but the movie does not make it as simple. It gets more and more complex, and in the end, you can understand both sides but don't want to have to be on either. It shows a great conflict between religious convincement (and borderline personal egocentric delusion) and moral and ethic on the other side. This is actually ingenious work and definately a move one SHOULD see!
However, all the negative aspects hindred my enjoyment of the movie. A lot. It was too long, had too much narration, to many lengths, a much to slow pace, and all this made it a non-enjoyable experience, and especially a moive that you watch once and never again. Which is sad, for such an important message.
Therefore - even thoug it made me think a lot and occupied me days and weeks after watching it, I cannot make up more than 7/10, which somehow saddens me.
I watched this because it was nominated for Oscar's Best Cinematography, it has a good cast, and it held a promise of insights into a journey of faith. I was hoping for The Mission, but found no journey, much pointless suffering and, to be honest I almost fell asleep (something I never do in movies). I gave it a 6 (Fair) out of 10, and that may have been overly optimistic. Perhaps a 5 (meh) or 4 (boring) might have better reflected my response. Sorry Andrew and Liam - it's not your fault - you did your best with what you had.
So, what would you think when you watch the movie? Is it just history for you? Or is it a lessen for us who are living in this age? When I saw this film, I thought Martin was trying to describe what happens even nowadays in Japan. "Japan is a swamp. A swamp where nothing can root." Some universal truths don't work in this country. They are changed in Japanese ways. It is really scary. Some people notice it, but others don't. Actually, I guess almost all of Japanese people don't notice the situation of Japan even though many of us feel frustrated somewhat about it. How scary it is! 2+2 is not 5.
Fantastic movie about the persecution of Christians in medieval Japan. Pristine cinematography. And historical to boot.
The main question of the movie is whether it is acceptable for a priest to apostatize in order to save his flock.
Shout by achelousVIP12BlockedParent2017-03-19T19:16:19Z
Most boring movie of 2017 award