With a script that calls for much crying and lamenting, pic could have easily descended into turgid meller territory were it not for the ensemble's nuanced perfs.

Although it may not fire on all cylinders, "The Silence" offers much to admire.

The atmosphere - weirdly chilling in the high summer of southern Germany - is oppressive. It's the worst of cliches ... but I was on the edge of my seat until the very last.

It's a harrowing and uncertain race to avoid history repeating itself, and as the thriller elements play out the emotional peaks and valleys are still allowed room to breathe.