John Woo's Silent Night: A Hollywood Comeback Worth Watching

John Woo's "Silent Night" is a revenge thriller set at Christmas, where a couple loses their son to gang violence. The film is unique in that it is a silent movie with sound, with characters communicating through looks and actions rather than dialogue. While the plot is predictable, the film's dedication to its concept and the emotional performances of the cast make it a deliriously cinematic experience. Woo's choreographed violence is focused and intimate, with stunning shots and transitions that create a metaphorical and poetic quality. "Silent Night" pays tribute to Sergio Leone and channels the aesthetics of operas and comic book universes.