#13: Silence
I apologize for another long absence. My top 20 list ran into a bit of an issue. As I watch more movies, it has changed, and I wasn't sure how to rebuild my list. I'm going to continue on from where I left off, then begin reviewing other films (including my new #20-14). Without further ado, here's my #13 pick, Silence.
Silence is an epic journey into spirituality that finds its strength in emotional impact. Martin Scorsese's labor decades in the making, is one of his most contemplative and spiritual. Despite - or maybe because of - its extraordinarily long runtime, the film takes on a unique tone. It leans heavily upon faith, which is the characters' only anchor in a storm of torturous events.
The cinematography of Silence might be its strongest element, hence its only Oscar nomination coming in the category. Early in the film, as men are being tortured in the ocean, the water washes over them, and over the camera. This combination of direction and cinematography drags the viewer into the film with the characters. However, once Silence has the viewer within its world, it holds them at arms length, making one feel as if they are floating as an observer, having to helplessly behold the suffering taking place in front of them.
The film is not only driven by its extraordinary direction and cinematography; a stunning and emotionally draining performance from Andrew Garfield raises the film to such great heights. The connection that the viewer makes with Garfield's Father Rodrigues forms the core of the film - without such empathy the film would become tedious and probably torturous.
Garfield is supported by two very different performances. On one hand there is Adam Driver, who turns in a raw and powerful performance as Garfield's counterpart in their journey. On the other hand is Liam Neeson, who is the largest issue with the movie. I'm not sure whether to attribute the issue to his acting, casting, or dialogue, but his role is the most frustrating part of the film. He's seemingly out of place, and completely takes the viewer out of the film, so much so that he never really became the character to me - instead he was simply Liam Neeson.
By the closing scene of the film, the viewer feels as if they have been through hell alongside Rodrigues. It is up to the viewer to decide whether they appreciate that feeling.
Silence is an epic journey into spirituality that finds its strength in emotional impact. Martin Scorsese's labor decades in the making, is one of his most contemplative and spiritual. Despite - or maybe because of - its extraordinarily long runtime, the film takes on a unique tone. It leans heavily upon faith, which is the characters' only anchor in a storm of torturous events.
The cinematography of Silence might be its strongest element, hence its only Oscar nomination coming in the category. Early in the film, as men are being tortured in the ocean, the water washes over them, and over the camera. This combination of direction and cinematography drags the viewer into the film with the characters. However, once Silence has the viewer within its world, it holds them at arms length, making one feel as if they are floating as an observer, having to helplessly behold the suffering taking place in front of them.
The film is not only driven by its extraordinary direction and cinematography; a stunning and emotionally draining performance from Andrew Garfield raises the film to such great heights. The connection that the viewer makes with Garfield's Father Rodrigues forms the core of the film - without such empathy the film would become tedious and probably torturous.
Garfield is supported by two very different performances. On one hand there is Adam Driver, who turns in a raw and powerful performance as Garfield's counterpart in their journey. On the other hand is Liam Neeson, who is the largest issue with the movie. I'm not sure whether to attribute the issue to his acting, casting, or dialogue, but his role is the most frustrating part of the film. He's seemingly out of place, and completely takes the viewer out of the film, so much so that he never really became the character to me - instead he was simply Liam Neeson.
By the closing scene of the film, the viewer feels as if they have been through hell alongside Rodrigues. It is up to the viewer to decide whether they appreciate that feeling.
Comments
Post a Comment