I was drawn to see “Silence” due first to Scorsese and secondly to an affection for the Jesuit order and their history. This was not an easy film to get produced I suspect. It has been “in the works” for years and finding funding had to be difficult. Happily perseverance paid off and a stellar cast was assembled to make it happen.
The true story is set in 17th century Japan. Two young Portuguese Jesuits travel there (which was not easy!) to find their mentor, another Jesuit who was thought to be alive and in terrible difficulty. The cast features Andrew Garfield of recent “Hacksaw Ridge” fame, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson and the wonderful Issei Ogata who plays the sadistic “Inquisitor” who tests the Jesuits unmercifully to renounce their faith if only symbolically.
This film is long, approaching three hours, which may be too long for many. If you are expecting action and chase scenes you will be disappointed. The cinematography and acting are top notch. It is hard to imagine the suffering that these young men endured in a strange land so far from home. Establishing Christianity in Japan was an impossibility from the start but try they did.
Although I very much enjoyed this movie and applaud Scorsese for seeing it through, I know that it will not reach a broad audience. If you love Scorsese and have an interest in the incredible sacrifices made by missionaries over the centuries I encourage you to venture out to see it. Otherwise I would not recommend it as you will likely be disappointed.
