First, the Recap:
It is a tumultuous time in 1600’s Japan, as traditional cultural and religious beliefs are being challenged in the eyes of the Japanese rulers by foreign missionaries bringing Catholicism and the Gospel of Christ to their islands. Two priests, Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Garupe (Adam Driver), concerned for a fellow brother, Ferreira (Liam Neeson), and his well-being in learning about increasing persecution of believers there, plead with their head priest, Father Valignano (Ciaran Hinds), to travel to the country and ensure their friend’s safety. Reluctantly, the pair is allowed to go. However, upon arrival, they find themselves immersed in the local underground church whose very survival depends on secrecy and avoiding the local authorities who want the priests and their converts to renounce the faith or lose their lives. Soon, the physical hardships turn inwardly for Rodrigues as he begins to question his own faith and fortitude.
Worth Seeing: Yes
Prolific writer/director/producer Martin Scorsese surprises with this intense, gritty, yet compelling, persuasive, and spiritually moving epic addresses, with total conviction, the very nature of faith, perseverance, and holding on to one’s beliefs in the face of certain death while making necessary and heartfelt sacrifice in service of others. Gorgeous cinematography follows the narrative in all its harsh and glorious moments with relentless intent, while superb performances from Garfield, Driver, Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, Issei Ogata, Shin’ya Tsukamoto, and Yosuke Kubozuka dominate the proceedings throughout, driving home the film’s message with passion and vigorous purpose as well. It’s certainly a thinking man’s film, one to strictly pay attention to in every frame presented, and also to catch some of the Biblical references infused throughout the film in very clever forms. A truly worthy drama, especially with its 160-minute runtime.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
