Let's begin with what's truly striking in 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' Martin Scorsese, that iconic maestro of American cinema, may have outdone himself with his latest epic. This film sits at the end of his illustrious career, but it's one of his best. It's a true MASTERPIECE that beckons you into a realm of storytelling that's both haunting and mesmerizing.
The visual symphony conducted by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto and orchestrated by production designer Jack Fisk is nothing short of magical. Their meticulous attention to detail and their ability to transport us to another time and place craft some of the most breathtaking visuals of the year. It's a testament to how film, at its finest, can immerse you in an entirely different world.
Editing maestro Thelma Schoonmaker, deserves every accolade, and then some.Her work with Scorsese has been a cornerstone of modern cinema, and here, her expertise shines brightly. Despite the running time of over 3 and a half hours, I was never bored. Considering some superhero movies and franchise films are over two and a half hours long this Martin Scorsese movie deserves your time, go on lose yourself at the cinema for a few hours.
Thrust into a world full of beautiful scenes and ugly actions, the final third movie ups the pace to keep you interested in the unfolding plot.
The pairing of Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese is nothing short of amazing. DiCaprio's filmography already stands as a testament to his extraordinary ability to pick a script and work with the very best, but his role here is uniquely fascinating. His portrayal, with its explosive tantrums and intricate character development is compelling.
Robert De Niro, really gets back to his best as surely one of the most horrendous characters I've seen on screen for a while. However, it's Lily Gladstone who emerges as the film's revelation. Her breakthrough performance is nothing short of astonishing, and it seems almost certain that the Best Actress Oscar should be engraved with her name.
The narrative itself is nothing less than a journey into history. The events it unveils, the Osage murders, are a stark reminder of human greed, corruption, and an unforgiving selfishness that blemished an entire nation's past. Scorsese's storytelling here is not just a narrative; it's a damning reflection on the need to recognise America's (and indeed the west's) role in its dark chapters.
The tragic Osage genocide, an atrocity often overlooked in the annals of history (I was unaware of the story beforehand), is handled with a sensitivity that is both rare and commendable. It's a narrative that truly deserves more attention, and 'Killers of the Flower Moon' delivers that in abundance. Much of that is due to the involvement of the Osage community, it was headed apparently in a very different direction before their input.
Yes, the film's runtime may challenge the patience of some, and the pacing may not be everyone's cup of tea. Yet, I implore viewers to look past these minor quibbles and grant this movie the chance it richly deserves. Although I did make the mistake of having a couple of coffees in the morning before the matinee showing (runpee app came in handy). It's a shame that epics like this cannot have a very short intermission much like films in the 60s and 70s or once upon a time in America in the 80s.
Martin Scorsese and the legendary Robbie Robertson have been frequent collaborators, from 'The Last Waltz' to 'The Irishman.' And as fate would have it, their creative stars converged with 'Killers of the Flower Moon.'
Sadly, Robbie Robertson passed away before Scorsese's magnum opus graced the silver screen. But what we are left with is a musical testament to his genius.
It's crucial to understand that a great score doesn't merely accompany a film; it elevates it to new heights. 'Killers of the Flower Moon' is a proof of this and Robertson's mix of bluesy and traditional native music helps to make it soar.
As the film crescendos to its conclusion, it delivers a gut-wrenching, heart-rending twist on the Osage tragedy, leaving amark on the viewer. The way the ending is delivered is remarkable; rather than the Oppenheimer-like court scenes, it finishes it off in a unique way featuring a surprise cameo.
This is cinematic storytelling at its finest, beauty meets violence, where history comes alive, injustice is laid bare, and the power of film to inform and provoke thought is at its zenith.