“Killers of the Flower Moon” paints a tragedy
Upon the news that legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese’s next film would focus on the horrific Osage murders of the 1920’s, many native communities, especially the Osage themselves, were excited to hear that a chapter of their history would be brought to film. However, they still remained weary. White director Martin Scorsese putting a piece of Osage history to film was bound to raise some eyebrows, no matter how talented he is. Nonetheless, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was released on Oct. 20, 2023 to overwhelmingly positive reviews. Most importantly, however, the majority of the Osage community has embraced the film as a good representation of their history and encouraged people to watch it to learn more.
The film explores the character of Ernest Burkhart, a dim-witted WWI veteran portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his relationship with Mollie Kyle, an Osage woman he marries played by Lily Gladstone. When Burkhart returns from war, he moves to Osage County, OK to live with William King Hale, his well-respected uncle played by Robert DeNiro. Osage County is famous for its discovery of oil, which made the Osage people extremely wealthy. Once Hale encourages Ernest to marry Mollie Kyle for her oil rights, the Osage town members begin to mysteriously die, one by one.
Martin Scorsese is one of the last big-name directors that can attract attention just based on him being attached to a project. Of course, this means that many high-profile actors would kill to work with him. DiCaprio and DeNiro obviously have experience working with him, but Lily Gladstone, who is seeing the start of a blossoming career, undeniably steals the show. She carefully balances Mollie’s reserved love, creeping terror and strong will with ease. Of course, DiCaprio similarly immerses himself while playing the stupidest Scorsese protagonist to date. He makes for a great contrast to DeNiro as William Hale. His smooth, southern lilt makes for a charmingly terrifying character who truly seems like the devil incarnate.
Being a Scorsese movie, the actual filmmaking on display is some of the best of the year. Being a three-and-a-half-hour-long movie in this day and age is difficult. I wouldn’t call it a fast-paced movie, but I wasn’t bored and got through it in one sitting very easily. Scorsese’s gift is that, in short, he was touched by a divine power to make films. His eye for making movies is so sharp and perfect, it’s a shame that people think of him as some pretentious and stuffy director, when his movies are some of the best and most accessible to the general population. “Killers” is no exception. Everything about it is so intricate and purposeful. All of the technical elements come together in a harmonious symphony.
To be a movie like “Killers of the Flower Moon” is ostensibly brave, especially because audiences today seem to antagonize any movie that isn’t a schlocky blockbuster, but thanks to Scorsese’s magic, it soars. This not getting a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay is an absolute joke, and gives me further dread for the coming award show. Regardless, this is one of, if not the best movie of the year, and I for one cannot wait for Jimmy Kimmel to make an unfunny joke about the runtime to an audience of displeased celebrities.
