Community Rating
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese, David Grann
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone
Runtime: 3h 26m
MPAA: R
Released: October 20, 2023
Adapted from the 2017 book by David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of a series of murders of Osage Nation members in1920s Oklahoma. The tribe, made rich largely from oil within their lands, became targets for white opportunists seeking easy wealth. Eventually this brings an investigation from the FBI only after much persistence from the Osage people.
It is clear Martin Scorsese works with passion as he tells this regrettably unfamiliar chapter of violence against Native Americans with great interest and care. Appropriately, this is juxtaposed at one point in the film with the Black Wall Street massacre in Tulsa. Similar in time and place, both racially violent historical events were largely ignored until quite recently by the general public.
The screenplay advances methodically and deliberately. No unnecessary loose ends bog the story down, making the nearly three and a half hour runtime pass without boredom. Every thread finds its end and moves with sensible progression. This is further aided by the smooth editing of Thelma Schoonmaker. There are also incredible moments of symbolism sprinkled throughout that are unique to their Osage representation.
There are even brief instants of humor sprinkled in that help prevent the narrative from becoming oppressively depressing. This also works to show faults in characters that are hardly criminal masterminds.
Excellent performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro work together to show the sinister threat brought on to the Osage people. DiCaprio plays against his typical role by being Ernest Burkhart, an impressionable and greedy man influenced under his uncle William King Hale. The local community leader Hale who operates internally like a mob boss is a perfect fit for De Niro.
However the stand out performance is delivered by Lily Gladstone as Mollie Kyle. She must carefully oscillate between high emotion and cool poise throughout the incredible events she endures. Gladstone is sure to receive an Oscar nomination.
Supporting actors largely hold their own as well. Notably with Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, and John Lithgow, who each make a mark with their limited screen time. Only Brendan Fraser feels a bit out of place with a somewhat over the top performance. Whether this was a choice by him or Scorsese, it felt noticeably in contrast with the rest of the cast in an unpleasant way.
Rodrigo Prieto provides beautiful cinematography that features the open spaces of Oklahoma with surprising beauty. No doubt aided by on-location filming, the film lives and breathes with its representation of the Osage and the land they call home
The score created by Robbie Robertson combines a blues sound with native flourishes. Guitar and harmonica are often backed by the relatively booming percussion of native instruments. Brooding and tense, this works perfectly in tandem for the true crime story Killers of the Flower Moon is telling.
Martin Scorsese closes the film with an ironic twist, fully exposing a sentiment that may have already been subtly building for some viewers. While certainly unique, it also feels jarring when compared to the sincerity shown for the entire runtime before.
Killers of the Flower Moon is an excellent film that tells an important story which should be better known by the wider public. Brutal yet beautiful, it will keep your attention throughout its long run time. The film is likely to receive several nominations once Oscar season arrives and is well worth a watch in theaters.
★★★★☆