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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Check that, ‘Silence’ is opening locally

Dan Webster

As it turns out, Martin Scorsese's film "Silence" will open in this part of the Inland Northwest on Friday.

Normally, such films — not particularly in the mainstream, near-three-hour running time, dealing with arcane subjects such as Jesuit evangelism — don't play in all theaters. And "Silence" fits all three criteria: a two-hour, 41-minute running time, a plot dealing with Jesuit priests attempting to introduce their version of Christianity to Japan.

Scorsese's film, however, is opening at various times in most area theaters.

It's on the schedule of all three Regal Cinemas locations (NorthTown, Spokane Valley and Coeur d'Alene), at both Village Center sites (Wandermere and Airway Heights) and downtown at AMC River Park Square.

Here are some critical comments about the film:

Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Star: " 'Silence' requires a leap of faith in its own right. The film is both repetitive and thrilling; it is boring and exhilarating; it will test your patience and expand your mind. 'Silence' is loud, in an astonishingly quiet way."
 
Dana Stevens, Slate: "Though it contains many scenes of prolonged suffering and a few shocking moments of graphic violence, 'Silence' bears a contemplative stillness at its heart.
 
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times: "This anguished, contemplative new movie, which [Scorsese] spent nearly three decades coaxing into celluloid reality, carries the weight of a career summation."
 
So now the week's schedule should be complete. Fingers crossed.