I Know Nobody Really Talks About It, But Here’s Why Silence Is One Of Scorsese’s Best Movies

by

These films – “Goodfellas”, “Raging Bull”, “Taxi Driver”, and the less evidently connected “Silence” – might appear to some as an unusual collection. But allow me to clarify that they are not out of place; rather, they are all outstanding works by Martin Scorsese, including the lesser-known “Silence”.

Recently, I pondered over which decade Martin Scorsese produced his finest work. Initially, I concluded it was the ’80s, although the ’10s gave me pause due to his remarkable output during that timeframe. However, if I had to pick a standout from the ’10s, it wouldn’t be “The Wolf of Wall Street” or any Scorsese film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, but rather the 2016 movie, “Silence.

Among Martin Scorsese’s films, “Silence,” adapted from Shuzaku Endo’s 1966 novel of the same name, stands out as one of my personal favorites. Let me explain why.

It’s One Of Scorsese’s Most Challenging Movies To Date…In A Good Way

Currently, Scorsese isn’t the kind of director I would categorize as “lighthearted.” Instead, his filmography is characterized by a focus on serious subject matter without the blending of action movies that some other directors, such as Spielberg, tend to do (even in the same year). At the same time, Scorsese’s work doesn’t fall into the category of “profound” cinema like Tarkovsky’s (for example, with films like Stalker).

Indeed, he generally creates exceptional or very good films, not the kind that are difficult to grasp and usually deemed dull by many viewers. However, occasionally, he strays from this pattern, and “Silence” is an instance where he did so.

Actually, what I previously mentioned as “boring” is a story centered around two Portuguese Jesuit priests portrayed by Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver. They journey to feudal Japan in search of their superior, Liam Neeson, who is rumored to have abandoned his faith. Upon their arrival, they discover the immense difficulties associated with practicing Christianity in a country that vehemently rejects it.

In this situation, the priests are faced with a grim choice: abandon their beliefs or endure hardship. The lack of divine intervention in the face of their suffering and persecution is interpreted as God’s silence. This is a complex and thought-provoking scenario that some might find challenging due to its heavy themes and slow pace. However, for those who are willing to engage with it, it can be incredibly rewarding. I find it truly masterful!

With Its Religious Angle, It Also Feels Like One Of Scorsese’s Most Personal Films

My father shares an amusing anecdote about his time at Cardinal Hayes, a Catholic boys’ high school in the Bronx. Interestingly, this school often mentioned Regis Philbin, but never once spoke of Martin Scorsese, despite both being alumni. In my father’s words, it was as if the school shied away from acknowledging Scorsese because his work frequently contains explicit language.

At present, it’s unclear if that description still applies (or if it was accurate in the past), but Scorsese has always been intriguing due to his diverse filmmaking style. On one side, he creates gritty gangster films like “Goodfellas” or masterpieces such as “Casino”. On the other hand, he produces profound, introspective movies, including those that delve into faith, such as “The Last Temptation of Christ”, “Kundun”, and “Silence”.

Among the three I recently discussed, the final one seems the most intimate. Androlewicz’s portrayal gives off an impression that he might be embodying Scorsese personally. There’s a sense of yearning and yet struggle in him – a struggle that faith presents, but which can feel challenging or even unattainable in our turbulent world.

Throughout the movie, Garfield’s character encounters opportunities to renounce his belief in God, yet his faith runs so deep within him that he endures hardships due to it. This suggests that the film, titled Silence, seems equally concerned with exploring the protagonist’s religious convictions as well as Martin Scorsese’s own perspective on the subject.

Andrew Garfield Gives The Performance Of A Lifetime

Garfield is exceptionally versatile, which makes him my preferred choice as Spider-Man (there’s a good reason for that). But I must admit, the depth and impact of his acting in this role surpassed even my expectations.

In the movie, the character portrays Father Sebastiao Rodrigues, a Catholic priest who is a Jesuit, whose religious beliefs are put to the test repeatedly. During the narrative, he is forced to walk over an image of Christ as a symbolic act against his faith. When he refuses, others endure punishment instead of him. He often questions whether it’s self-centered to maintain his faith when others bear the consequences due to him.

In the movie, the anguish is clearly visible on Garfield’s face, as he witnesses others being tormented. He struggles with feelings of guilt throughout, believing himself responsible for their suffering. During prayer, he encounters an extended period of no response from God. However, in a pivotal scene, he believes he hears the voice of Jesus, which leads him to publicly renounce his faith. Yet, it’s evident in Garfield’s facial expressions that he clings tightly to his religious beliefs, despite his public denial.

Watching this film is quite a poignant experience. Rodrigues seems to be trapped in a struggle between his religious beliefs and moral compass, and Garfield’s portrayal brings this tension to life. The entire cast gives a stellar performance, but Garfield’s talent shines particularly brightly.

Japan Has Probably Never Looked So Beautiful…Or Punishing

Last summer, I traveled to Japan – an unforgettable journey that lasted approximately 26 hours, during which I watched seven new movies for the first time. This remarkable country, rich in tradition and culture, is truly one of a kind, leaving me yearning to return as soon as possible.

It seems that vacations require funds, which means I’ll likely have to content myself with exploring the country through films and TV series. Interestingly, “Silence” was shot in Taiwan, yet the depiction of 17th-century Japan presented there is both beautiful and mercilessly harsh.

Filmmaker Rodrigo Prieto skillfully crafted a compelling, stunning portrayal of Japan, so real it seems almost like a character on its own. The tumultuous ocean waves mirror the turmoil within our Christian protagonists, or the collision of beliefs depicted in this story. The verdant countryside has a familiar allure yet feels foreign as well, making us feel that our characters are ensnared in a paradoxical conflict.

The diverse and contrasting aspects give Japan an allure that is both captivating yet somewhat off-putting, and it’s hard for me to think of many other films where the location itself evokes such a strong sense of the struggles faced by our main characters, particularly in a Scorsese production.

That Ending Really Sticks With You

Despite my deep admiration for Martin Scorsese’s entire cinematic work, it’s worth noting that while he usually delivers an impressive climax, many of his movies don’t feature exceptional final shots. To put it another way, I could likely describe how most of his top films conclude, but I’d struggle to recall the final shot before the credits in those instances.

Although it’s not exactly a challenge, certain concluding scenes can etch themselves deeply into our memories forever. For example, I can clearly recall Joe Pesci pointing a gun at the camera during the end of Goodfellas, yet struggle to remember the final shots in Martin Scorsese’s other films, except for Silence. The final shot in that movie is so powerful and evocative that I believe it perfectly encapsulates the entire film.

Instead of revealing the plot twists, I encourage you to experience the movie on your own. The ending left me utterly amazed, causing me to exclaim “Wow!” And to this day, the powerful final scene continues to linger in my mind, not only as a viewer but also as a Catholic.

What do you think? Have you seen Silence before? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Read More

2025-09-03 14:13