Adapted from the novel by Shūsaku Endō, "Silence" is rich in content, symbolism, and outstanding performances from its cast. The story focuses on two Portuguese Jesuit priests -– played by Driver and Andrew Garfield — who travel to Japan to try and locate their mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who is rumored to have abandoned his religion.
For director Martin Scorsese, "Silence" was a passion project that had been gestating for almost 30 years; therefore getting the casting right was essential. Both Garfield and Driver showed incredible commitment to their roles, according to this interview in TimeOut, undertaking spiritual training, silent retreats, and weight loss to prepare for the grueling shoot. Driver's Father Garupe has comparatively less screen time than Garfield, but he makes a huge impact in a short amount of time. "Silence" is a film that handles very thematically dense and difficult subject matter, and while it isn't always an easy watch, Driver is mesmerizing.
As is surely the case with most actors, having the opportunity to work with Martin Scorsese was a dream come true for Driver. Speaking with The Independent, Driver said, "He's the top of the pyramid of filmmakers. I grew up watching his movies and just to talk with him or work with him like that on something, you can't even imagine. It's so exciting." Scorsese has also spoken highly of Driver, calling him "one of the best, if not the best, actors of his generation."
