A deep personal Scorcese epic

Rating: 9/10 (14 April 2017)

In a lot of ways 'Silence' is the most somber and personal Scorcese film. It is a story tailor made for Scorcese as his films often explore Catholicism and catholic guilt in particular. I wonder though if 'Silence' is a work of literature that lends it's self well to film adaptation. It too is a personal work which challenges the reader to reflect. Much of it is told from the perspective of it's lead character Francisco. And the success or lack thereof will depend on how you feel about Andrew Garfield.
Martin Scorcese. took a big gamble in giving Andrew Garfield the lead role (personally I would have swapped Garfield and Driver) but for the most part he is able to handle the role. This is an actor who is still evolving his craft and although he is talented I think he lacks the subtlety needed for 'Silence' I think a reason 'Silence' took so long to get to the screen is that Shusaku Endo's novel is written almost entirely in self reflection and monologue. The translation to film is a bit choppy and you really needed Garfield to step up. He is more than capable before the film enters the central conflict. He has warmth when the characters faith has not been tested and when he is a priest spreading the gospel. His performance in the film begins to suffer at the point where Francisco feels his faith tested.
The one addition that I did not care for is during the ending the silence is broken at least from the audience's perspective. Scorcese inserts narrations presumably from Christ himself. It has been a while since I read the novel but I was under the impression that this was far more vague as to whether this was a real miracle or not. I was always under the impression that Endo was challenging the reader and Francisco to have faith.
On a personal note, I initially read the novel when I heard about Scorcese tackling the film nearly ten years ago. I read it at an interesting time when I was losing my own faith in God and the Catholic Church that I was raised in. I admired it because it is a novel that reflects on the best and worst of Catholicism. The film is good but I think I came in with my preconceptions clouding my judgment. 'Silence' is a remarkable achievement as we should expect from Scorcese. I think Endo's literary achievement is far greater though.