an interesting but altogether disappointing experience

Rating: 3/10 (1 January 2017)

I was extremely interested to watch this film after having watched the trailer and I think that the subject of Christianity in feudal Japan is something that is not often seen on the big screen. However I was left extremely disappointed by Silence from start to finish. I found the attention to small details of 17th century Japan was the only saving grace in a film where the acting, imagery and length especially were very drawn out and, to be honest, I was glad when it was all over.
I have no idea why if none of the three main Portuguese characters can actually do a Portuguese accent they wouldn't just speak normally or use actors that could do the accent. The imagery of stepping on an image of Christ was used so repeatedly with so little happening in between it was difficult to remain interested or for the act itself to hold its importance. There was very little to endear any of the characters to the audience apart from characters that played too small a role. Many of the scenes in this film are needlessly long and really do beg the question of why this film has seemingly been constructed to take so long to tell the story that it needs to. I realise many people will have read the book and so may be able to look past this - I understand as well that this film may be viewed differently by people who have faith to how I viewed it myself. Having said this rather than let another Scorsese fan get sucked in by a trailer that looks to tackle a very interesting period in history I thought it best to warn people that you won't get these three hours of your life back.