Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Adam Driver, Andrew Garfield and Liam Neeson
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films that audiences treasure like Adam Driver. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Driver has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s divorced fathers, space scavengers or strong reporters, Driver has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Driver’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he’s not a main focus of a movie, Driver has always left a lasting impression. A commemorated actor with strong commitment to his craft, Driver has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout his strong career, Driver has made many powerful movies which are definitely worth taking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Driver and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Silence” is absolutely my favourite. Released in 2016, Martin Scorsese’s movie offered a compelling portrait of religious figures facing adversities. Packed with strong production-design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about religion. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Adam Driver, who portrays a religious priest experiencing disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Silence” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about religion, it discusses strong themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating masterpiece about religion, there are several strong reasons why “Silence” is an incredible film worth seeing.
Set in the 17th Century, “Silence” tells the story of priests that embark on a journey in search of experience. Adam Driver portrays Garupe, a heroic Jesuit priest showing strong devotion to following a religious way. Garupe has always shared a strong bond with Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield), whom he has always loved in every way. However, Garupe’s life changes when he embarks upon a religious journey that causes disaster. As he discovers shocking secrets on his mission, Garupe soon is forced to question his faith in religion. Left in utter silence, Garupe wonders whether it’s possible to achieve goals of religious experience. Faced with grim reality, Garupe questions his religious identity causing tragedy.
Martin Scorsese is fascinated with themes of religion. A fantastic filmmaker, Scorsese has often made engaging movies about religious figures facing disaster. His iconic movie “The Last Temptation of Christ” offered a powerful portrait of religious figures facing crucification. With “Silence”, however, Scorsese created his first period piece capturing religion. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of religious priests facing tragedy but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Scorsese captures religious figures embarking on a dangerous journey. Scorsese successfully uses montages capturing the lives of religious priests embarking upon journeys. For instance, montages enhance the journey scene. During this memorable scene, Garupe and Rodrigues embark on their first mission discovering harsh reality of religion. Through stunning montages, Scorsese creates a portrait of religion which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” suggested, montages enhance commemorated movies about broken marriage. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Scorsese captures the tensions which religious priests are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Silence” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Scorsese expertly uses production design to capture the lives of religious figures facing decline. Throughout the film, Scorsese effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of religious figures which experience tension. For instance, costumes enhance the religious meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Garupe and Rodrigues face tension when they meet Father Ferreira. Through commemorated costumes, Scorsese creates a strong portrait of religion that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Kathryn Kluge’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which religious priests bear. Through strong production, Scorsese captures the lives of religious figures embarking upon a mission.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Silence” is a strong film about religion that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses sequences of silence capturing religious priests questioning faith. Scorsese’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture religious figures facing tension by silence. For instance, the silence enhances the torture scene. During this unforgettable scene, Garupe questions his faith in religion when he experience an intense act of violence. Through silence, Scorsese creates religious figures that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a tricky technique to use in movies. As Scott Z. Burns’ “The Report” suggested, silence often enhances films about investigative journalists. Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel” suggested that silence enhances medieval epics. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Scorsese captures religious figures facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Adam Driver delivers one of his greatest career performances as Garupe. Driver first earned appreciation for playing space scavengers in Star Wars movies. With “Silence”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a religious priest facing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Driver has always excelled at portraying characters enduring pressure, and “Silence” showcased his strengths as an actor. Through riveting expressions, he captures the bravery, determination and grief of a priest that faces tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Adam Driver, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Andrew Garfield is astonishing, capturing hardships that a religious priest with a strong point of view goes through. Liam Neeson is riveting, capturing the dedication of a religious priest embarking on a dangerous mission causing tensions. Lastly, Ciaran Hinds is deserving of praise. As a religious priest, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Silence” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing religious priests that face silence. Unlike most films about religion, the movie tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including devotion, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with religious faith to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message concerning trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Silence” is one of those rare films about religion which everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of Adam Driver would definitely recognize “Silence” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A powerful period piece about religion, it honours an actor that deserves appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 