Considered by many to be the greatest living film director, Martin Scorsese has returned to the big screen with his adaption of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The original work is a non-fiction book that covers the tragic murders that struck the Osage nation in the early 1900s.
While Scorsese has covered true events in the past, this latest work stands out as this horrific section of history has been left unseen by many. Stories of Jordan Belfort or Howard Hughes had been well-documented before Scorsese. The knowledge of what occurred in Fairfax, Oklahoma following the end of World War I is mostly unknown to the public. One could only hope a hand as steady as Scorsese’s would be able to cover this history with as much care and focus as it deserves. Luckily, and unsurprisingly, he delivers.
A Warranted Length
“Killers of the Flower Moon” has quite a few discussions circling its release. The greatest by far has been on its whopping 206-minute runtime. Many braved the theater this summer to see the three-hour “Oppenheimer” but tacking on an extra 26 minutes appears to be the breaking point for a lot of audiences.
This new historic epic certainly has the weight of a three-hour-and-26-minute film. Yet, it moves at a pace that makes the film’s length unnoticeable, for the most part. The tragedy and depictions of true evil are simply too engaging to leave the viewer bored. Every second seems necessary. Scenes that threaten to become a slog are quickly ended and move to new, exciting moments of tension and deception. As much as the length is daunting, I can’t ask for this story to be any shorter.
All-Star Cast
As for the performances, the three names on the poster are a triple-whammy of talent. Each gives their roles the layers needed to depict this account.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays, against his usual type, Ernest Burkhart. Earnest is a pathetic man manipulated by just about every force that graces his presence. DiCaprio plays Burkhart like a confident yet ignorant child. He’s fooled by everyone and slowly falls apart as his choices eventually come to kick him in the ass.
Robert De Niro is perfect as William Hale. Hale is a truly insidious person conducting monstrous acts with each step he takes while hiding behind the mask of a saint. De Niro never allows Hale to show the true villain he is. Rather he continuously gaslights the characters and audience, perfectly curating his façade of a kind, old man.
Finally, Lily Gladstone is a powerhouse as Mollie Burkhart. Burkhart is an Osage woman determined to find the killers of her sisters and nation. Even when Mollie is at her weakest physically, Gladstone plays her with strength. She depicts this person as determined to fight injustice even when it seems all is lost.
Scorsese’s sense of direction is just as strong as ever. A sense of dread permeates through every shot. Whether it’s a slow crawl through a dark house or a whip-pan to a speeding car, there’s always a lingering feeling that something isn’t right. Notably, 1920s Fairfax is brought to life with detailed sets and costumes. The film is a delight for those who enjoy Western wear and the vintage devices of the time.
Different Perspectives
Some have criticized Scorsese for telling these events of the Osage nation from the white perspective. Claims have been made that this story deserves to be told from the eyes of the victims, refraining from giving the killers any sense of empathy.
On one hand, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is able to share how shockingly evil the people involved in these murders were. By putting us in the shoes of these villains, we are shown how greed and racial prejudice were the driving factors in these horrendous acts. Audiences can understand the truly disgusting nature of this history with this perspective.
On the other hand, Ernest Burkhart is given a consciousness that viewers can occasionally feel for. Perhaps this creates a false narrative that removes some of the anger we should feel towards the real criminals. Either way, the importance of “Killers of the Flower Moon” cannot be understated. It sheds light on a piece of history that has been untold for far too long. It is a heartbreaking but essential tale that should be seen by all.
