Silence

"The weight of your silence is terrible.
Or am I just praying to nothing?
Because you are not there."

- Father Rodrigues' internal questioning in Martin Scorsese's "Silence"

Meditations on religious themes have always held a fascination for filmmakers, from the early days of a more "Christian," black and white (read: Heaven and Hell) approach via directors like Cecil B. DeMille and Leo McCarey to more modern and complex treatments from Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman and Roberto Rossellini. This year, two very diverse helmers have returned to the subject of God and faith - Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson -- coincidentally casting the same lead actor: Andrew Garfield, who gets to speak to a God who may or may not be there in both epic tales.

Both Scorsese and Gibson are devout Catholics, and both have made startling, epic cinematic masterworks. "Hacksaw Ridge," though it does pose some vital questions, ends up being more of a confirmation of Christianity and how, faith in accordance with God's commandments, can lead to salvation. "Silence" asks many questions and provides few answers.

It took Martin Scorsese 28 years to bring "Silence" to the screen, but, perhaps, as one of the producer's, Gaston Pavlovich, recently told EDGE, the film needed to come out at this very moment in time.

To call "Silence" Scorsese's passion project doesn't seem fitting enough. For whatever faith you subscribe to, whatever your thoughts about God and the fallibility of human nature are, this truly profound work should, at least, elicit a conversation about the difficulties of believing in the existence of God in times of extreme human suffering. It may even stimulate a private rumination on spirituality in this increasingly chaotic and frighteningly tumultuous world.

Based on the celebrated 1966 Japanese novel by Sh�saku End�, "Silence" is set in the 17th century and tells the story of two young, naive Jesuit missionaries, Father Sebastian Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garupe (Adam Driver), who embark on a perilous mission to find their missing mentor, Father Christovao Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who, it is rumored has renounced his Christian faith, become a Buddhist, and married a woman.

The two set off from Portugal and must be smuggled into Japan since the current feudal lords and the ruling Samurai are bent on eradicating Christianity from their country, persecuting and torturing practicing Christians until they renounced their faith or, otherwise, suffer a slow and agonizing death. The milieu has radically changed since just a few years earlier when the Japanese converts were allowed to practice their faith in peace. Now, they must hide for fear of being slaughtered.

The film opens with an initially beautiful (until you realize what you're seeing) shot of beheaded Christians. All the seeming progress via the missionaries has led to a new and vile form of torment where genocide is underway.

Rodrigues ends up separated from Garupe and is captured and forced to witness, first hand, the terrible forced apostatizing of Japanese Christians.

We aren't given much history in terns of exactly why, after welcoming conversions to Christianity, the Japanese would turn around and mercilessly decide to expunge the religion. Once can assume power and fear are chief motivators.

The narrow-minded assuredness of Father Rodrigues soon metamorphoses into a growing confusion, as he must endure the sight of so many faithful in peril.

His "Heart of Darkness"-esque odyssey brings him to the brink of despair, as he soon questions the tenacious and inflexible notions he has about martyrdom and sacrifice. His self-doubt leads him to wonder if God is even listening to his prayers and pleas.

Scorsese (and co-screenwriter Jay Cocks) delves into the psychological abyss of that internal struggle we have all have had about whether there is a higher power or not and, if so, how can he allow so many horrific things to happen.

"Silence" is a monumental achievement, but rest assured that at two hours and 39 minutes (the original cut was one hour longer), the movie is no joy ride. It often feels like some form of penance, a mea culpa for the truly devout. But that is part of the necessary suffering. A suffering and self-reflection before one can attain some kind of spiritual knowledge. And it may not ever arrive, but the possibility, for most, will always be there - if and when we need it to be.

Reactions to "Silence" may depend on where the viewer is in his/her spiritual life. More conflicted audiences members may find themselves frustrated but, also, galvanized toward continuing the quest. Atheists may find the crimes committed in the name of religion to be nothing but absolute misguided madness. As for the truly devout, that may well depend on what religion they practice. Or it may not. The hope is it won't matter. It shouldn't. But as in politics, religion does matter and is divisive. And at this point in time in our country and in the world - whether we like it or not - it does matter.

It's impossible to even attempt to be objective about "Silence." Personally, I had my own issues with certain aspects of the film that had everything to do with my being brought up a Catholic, and having, long since, shunned the faith. It was certainly easier for me to have sympathy for the Japanese and for Ferreira's decision. You may call it blasphemy; I call it empathy, as well as an ever-growing anger towards pushy and judgmental church leaders who often cause more harm than good. But there has been intolerance and suffering towards every religion.

Suffice to say, if you can allow yourself entry into the "Silence" narrative, the payoff can be quite revealing and, potentially, transforming.

And the cast aides immensely in that endeavor.

In an astonishing performance that only rivals his own work in "Hacksaw Ridge" as the most compelling and best of 2016, Andrew Garfield immerses himself body and soul into the conflicted priest, Rodrigues. Voiceover aside, we need only look at his face to feel his anxiety and anguish and understand his pain. Garfield is one of the most gifted actors of his generation.

The uber-fascinating Adam Driver continues to build quite the varied filmic resume in only a few short years. And Liam Neeson makes the most of his cryptic role as Ferriera.

The Japanese cast is just as intense and dedicated, especially Yosuke Kubozuka as Kichijiro, a Judas-type character who will do what he must to survive. Kichijiro's a convert who keeps renouncing his faith, then begging for forgiveness, only to renounce once again.

As The Inquisitor, Issey Ogata squeezes every last drop out of his juicily sinister moments, stealing every scene he is in but showing some small bits of vulnerability, even when he's at his most heinous.

The film is a visual feast for the eyes (not always one you want to watch). Rodrigo Prieto's camerawork is absolutely stunning complimented by Dante Ferreti's evocative production design.

One of the most extraordinary truths about the career of Martin Scorsese is that he keeps challenging himself and, in doing so, crafting films that will be talked about until the there is no more cinema (heaven forbid!) In the new millennium alone he has given us "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Hugo," "The Departed," "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York," all nominated for Best Picture Oscars (with "The Departed" winning).

"Silence" is one more unparalleled work of art that will haunt moviegoers and beckon return viewings.