Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Ah psychology is wonderful thing. Lucrative and helpful for all involved. But what fascinates me the most is how when so many people tell me something is terrible I will invariably have the opposite experience. Am I just contrary? Perhaps.
Despite my thorough loathing for anything over two hours long I appear to do very well with Martin Scorsese. Two years ago I braced myself for a good nap with The Irishman before devouring it in one sitting. I had been warned by serval friends that at 3hrs 25mins, this was film was overlong and boring, and so I prepared for the worst. And honestly, I’m as surprised as anyone that I watched this beauty without ever looking at my watch or wondering how I could kill time. Sure, it’s very quiet and conversational. Too quiet at times. But engaging and riveting throughout. I was enthralled. Kudos Marty!
When an artist ages fair-weather fans casually dismiss and/or make allowances for their talent - a singer may not be able to hit those same notes for example - but as a filmmaker Scorsese is still a modern maestro with imaginative storytelling and a thrilling score.
Based on David Gran’s non-fiction book of the same name, we’re in 1920’s Oklahoma and the Osage Nation have become some of the wealthiest people on earth due to an abundance of oil beneath their land. Land that the American government forced them to move onto. And then of course the white man, who uprooted them in the first place, decided this wasn’t fair and wanted it back. By killing them all. The bodies showing up one by one is reminiscent of classic Scorsese canon - Goodfellas, Casino, The Departed…
Leonardo DiCaprio’s timid and wormlike Ernest Buckhart returns from war and marries Lily Gladstone’s Osage Mollie, all under the nefarious scrutiny of his uncle William “call me King” Hale, played by the menacing Robert De Niro.
DiCaprio, unfortunately, always excels when playing a weakling, and he’s perfectly spineless here. Gladstone shows tremendous stillness and restraint as Molly observes the sinister manipulation surrounding her while De Niro stews in resentment. Remarking “is that so” when Ernest says Molly is pregnant with their second child is simply terrifying.
The runtime isn’t for everyone (namely me) but this is tremendous historic storytelling with solid cinematic flair and pitch perfect performances all round.
9 Oily Thumbs Up 👍🏻
