Fans ofMartin Scorseseoften refer to 2019’sThe Irishmanas his directorial follow-up to 2013’sThe Wolf of Wall Street.

What Is Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ About?

Their hiding, however, can only last so long.

Martin Scorsese and Andrew Garfield on the set of Silence standing against a red background with a cross

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How Did Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ Get Made?

Silencewas a longtime passion project of Scorsese’s.

Scorsese denied the claims and the matter was settled out of court.

Andrew Garfield as Rodrigues in Silence

Image via Paramount Pictures

What Works in Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’?

Despite the long development and delays,Silenceis one of Scorsese’s boldest and most epic works.

The film is deliberately paced, building a slow, yet invigorating intensity across a 161-minute runtime.

Andrew Garfield and Yôsuke Kubozuka in Silence (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Whileperiod pieces are nothing novel for Scorsese,Silencedoes not settle itself in early to mid-twentieth century America.

It’s a long way from the digitized sets ofHugoor the hazy barrooms ofMean Streets.

Above all else, though, it isSilence’s story and message that makes it unforgettable.

Liam Neeson as Cristóvão Ferreira looking up wearily in Silence (2016)

Image via Paramount Pictures

It is a meditation on faith, but never one that feels preachy or didactic just painstakingly honest.

Why Did ‘Silence’ Fail at the Box Office?

However, it bombed at the box office,hardly making back half of its $46 million budget.

Underrated Scorsese

Moviegoers still tend to overlook it, and it remains an underseen entry in Scorsese’s long filmography.

Many factors could contribute toSilence’s underappreciated value.

Often, in cinema, long and tumultuous development processes are indicative of subpar products.

Mollie (Lily Gladstone) sitting in a courtroom in Killers of the Flower Moon

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Then, the release itself was rather atypical.

This might have sent some mixed signals.

It also doesn’t haveScorsese’s signature mob movie iconography.

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In the 17th century, two Portuguese Jesuit priests travel to Japan in an attempt to locate their mentor, who is rumored to have committed apostasy, and to propagate Catholicism.

Some lesser-known gems from the GOAT.

Come March of 2017, themovie was already out on home video.

Nevertheless,Silenceremains one of Scorsese’s most singular works for all the best reasons.

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It is ambitious, original, and aesthetically brilliant.

Without a doubt, this modern Scorsese masterpiece is well worth a watch.

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Silence