Killers of the Flower Moon – Another Scorsese Standout

Martin Scorsese is back once again with his long-awaited, 27th feature film, Killers of the Flower Moon, based on the nonfiction book of the same name by David Grann. The film sees the legendary auteur teams up with his two most prized stars, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, both starring in a Scorsese picture together for the first time. This 3-hour and 26-minute crime drama epic proves to be one of the most ambitious, emotional, and impressive cinematic feats of 2023.

Killers of the Flower Moon takes place in 1920s Fairfax, Oklahoma and follows the real-life case of the Osage Murders where white interlopers stole from and killed many innocent, oil-wealthy members of the Osage Nation for their land and therefore oil rights. The protagonist is Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio), a white American ex-soldier who moves to Osage County and quickly falls in love with a wealthy Osage woman named Mollie Brown (Gladstone). Now married to Mollie, Ernest found himself torn between his new family as his uncle, William King Hale (De Niro), set his sights on Mollie and her family and their land and oil rights as a means to protect his family and ensuring their riches now and in the future by keeping the money running. A pillar of the community, the lucrative position he created for himself came from the sketchy doings of others for which he kept his hands clean. Behind the scenes, the politics of Fairfax ran on money and power and Hale was at the top.

Tackling a dark time in American history, Killers of the Flower Moon is unapologetically honest in its depiction of these horrific historical events. From its first shot, audiences can sense that the film was helmed with the utmost respect and admiration for the Osage people. Featuring gorgeous wide shots and intimate close-ups of traditional Osage dances, rituals, and ceremonies provides a crystal-clear idea of the pride and connection felt between the tribe. Whether in the lush fields basking in the sun, or in the dark and creaky town of Osage County, they will feel like a part of it. Delivering such a vivid cinematic experience, it fills out its running time nicely. Not only does Scorsese understand how to set up the perfect backdrop and atmosphere, he also understands how to navigate the narrative within this world and keep it engaging throughout. Meanwhile, its characters are ultra-layered, wisely secretive, and torturously conflicted which makes it nearly impossible to figure out where things will go.

De Niro effortlessly captures the colossal presence and invisible grip that Hale has over the town of Fairfax and his family. Positioning himself as the sinister puppet master behind most of the most heinous of crimes in Osage County, he merely is taking advantage of every white man willing to get their hands dirty on his behalf in exchange for a piece of Osage land and the potential wealth it could hold. Hale’s cold and heartless intentions are expressed in De Niro’s body language, ever-so-subtly peeking through his overtly kind and nurturing demeanor. 

Shown on DiCaprio’s face in nearly every shot, Burkhart was faced with an internal conflict that saw him torn between two opposing motivations: the love of his wife and children, and the psychological conditioning of his lineage. He digs himself deeper and deeper into a hole of betrayal and regret, falling victim to the manipulation of his uncle. Burkhart’s helpless naivety and Hale’s psychopathic conviction are a match made in hell, as they together justify their motivation for the countless crimes they carry out together. Only De Niro and DiCaprio are equipped with the appropriate chemistry and combined talent for a team effort like this one.

Gladstone may have the most challenging task of the main three cast members as Mollie Kyle, but she accomplishes it marvelously. She perfects the art of stoicism as she silently investigates the intentions of her husband, Burkhart. But as a series of crimes unfold around Mollie’s family, the devastation and desperation peek from beneath her cold gaze. Mollie is the heart and soul of this film, showcasing fearless resilience in the face of manipulation and shame from both her immediate family and romantic partnership. And in the midst of all the torture and frustration between Mollie and Burkhart, Gladstone and DiCaprio are unbreakably in love every time they look each other. Every scene between the two stars is rich with subtext, and on top of it all, wonderful to see such talented actors cross paths with differing styles.

The beauty of Killers of the Flower Moon exists in its ability to recover the humanity in a horrific and tragic forgotten story. Themes of survival, hope, and transcendence shine through a narrative plagued with greed, dishonesty, and regret. With timeless directional style, performances rich with subtext, and characters secretive enough to even fool the audience, there is never a dull moment.

In the end, Killers of the Flower Moon is a film that will fill audiences with empathy, hopelessness, excitement, and optimism at the turn of every corner. It is yet another standout effort in Scorsese’s legendary catalogue.

still courtesy of Apple

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