A Visually Stunning Yet Drawn Out Passion Project

Rating: 8/10 (2 September 2019)

I've seen Martin Scorsese's "Silence" twice: once in the theater and once on home video. My first viewing was a transcendent experience, but my second was a disappointment. What I first loved about the film remains great, but multiple viewings highlight the movie's imperfections. "Silence" is a beautifully made epic with awe-inspiring performances and important religious themes - but those qualities are stretched thin over a nearly three hour running time.
"Silence" is a spiritual successor to "The Last Temptation of Christ," Scorsese's controversial life of Jesus that divided believers but nonetheless managed to get to the heart of the often challenging experience of being a Christian. Since then Scorsese has matured as a filmmaker and with a bigger budget he was able to re-address Catholic themes with an even better cast and an expanded scope. Scorsese is a master director and in "Silence" he sets a thought-provoking discussion about faith against the colorful backdrop of 17th Century Japan. The questions Scorsese raises are the defining ones of his career: what does it really mean to be a Christian? How far can we take forgiveness of sins? Is it possible to renounce God in action but still love him?
"The Last Temptation of Christ" had clearer answers to these questions in a film that better utilized its sprawling length and poetic imagery. "Silence" holds up as a moving exploration of religion and belief, but it suffers from tortuously slow pacing and a drawn out third act that fails as pay off for two hours of build-up. I read the original book "Silence" when I was in high school, and unfortunately the literary version is superior to the film: the ponderous and bleak story of "Silence" is better fit for a novel than cinema. I do recommend Scorsese's "Silence" for the amazing visuals, provocative themes, and superb performances - in particular Andrew Garfield and Liam Neeson shine in their respective roles. But be prepared for a film that's nearly an hour too long. 8/10.