Silence In Cinema
Martin Scorsese nails the power of silence in film.
Although dialogue is one of a filmmaker’s most powerful tools, the lack of it can be just as, or even more powerful. But silence isn’t always used at the right times, especially in modern-day films. And one filmmaker that (in my opinion) nails the use of silence; is Martin Scorsese.
Even though Scorsese is known for his use of music (amongst other things), I think his use of silence should get just as much recognition.
For example the scene above. When Jake sets himself up for a major beating. He also places the camera inside the ring, using the POV’s of the two fighters. This takes you from observing the fight from outside the ring, to being with the characters inside the ring. Or “How am I funny” scene from GoodFellas, where the tension lies in the silence. If you go through his filmography you’ll see how he uses silence to enhance emotion, like making creepy scenes that much more creepy, or he can use it to cut off entire emotions, like happiness in Hugo.
Or a personal favorite of mine, the cellphone scene. As the two rats call each other knowing that the person on the other side is who they are so desperately trying to find, neither of them talks. Both waiting for someone to make the first move. Both knowing what the person on the other side is, but not who they are. And the silence in this scene is what makes it for me. If the silence were replaced with slight ambient noise or music like in the original, I think it wouldn’t have been as impactful. But you can also find great moments of silence in other films. You can find it in the void of space in 2001 A Space Odyssey. Or almost the entirety of A Quiet Place. But another one of the most brilliant moments of silence in film is…
This scene is from a Tarantino film, and saying it’s outstanding is an understatement —
This scene is breathtaking. And although it might not have been complete silence, the long pauses between each question and answer are masterly. Pair that with the unforgettable Tarantino dialogue and you’re left with a real work of art. With each second that passes, a new wave of tension comes and hits you like a brick. And you hope that the man in the black trenchcoat is oblivious to the farmer’s secret, even though you know that he’s known all along. You pray for the people beneath the floorboards and the farmer above them.
