A new Martin Scorsese movie is always worth checking out. Some of his worst-received films, like New York, New York and Shutter Island, still hold a place in fans’ hearts, and Killers of the Flower Moon is far from his worst, with some critics even putting it in their top 10 Scorsese films of all time. Based on a true story, Killers of the Flower Moon is an impressive directing, writing, and acting showcase for all involved, even if few would call it the master director’s single best work.
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Plot Summary
David Grann’s award-winning nonfiction book detailing the Osage murders gets the Martin Scorsese treatment in this lengthy, character-driven adaptation. Scorsese mainstays Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro portray the Texan transplants that start to gain prominence among the Osage in the early 20th century, while Lily Gladstone plays Mollie Kyle, whose family members were killed as part of a corruption scheme.
From Pain and Controversy Springs Authenticity
The push for diverse storytelling from underrepresented groups in Hollywood has led to a rush of Native American directors, writers, and actors in present positions, as in Marvel’s recent Echo spin-off series. Fueling controversy is that Scorsese, one of the oldest institutions of big studio films still operating, is yet again in control of telling the stories of minorities. Luckily, dedicated and appreciative work from all involved makes Killers of the Flower Moon a worthwhile endeavor.
Though the story of the Osage murders and its survivors should have come from a Native viewpoint, Scorsese’s film makes clear the focus on the perpetrators, letting advisory from the Osage people and the Native American actors of Killers of the Flower Moon inform their role in the film while Scorsese, DiCaprio, and De Niro design the villain’s side. Lead actress Gladstone disclosed in an interview that the help from Osage people in telling this story changed the results for the better, and allowing the space for Gladstone and other Native American actors to fill their roles shows without artifice that Scorsese did not try to overwrite the Osage people as much as possible.
Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
With that in mind, Gladstone uses her position in Killers of the Flower Moon to demonstrate a triumphant acting performance of great pain that Scorsese never tries to undercut. In DiCaprio’s role as Ernest Burkhart, he gives complexity to his characterization and situations without trying to forgive them; Scorsese never takes shortcuts in portraying the people who suffered from Burkhart’s and others’ actions. Though the resulting runtime stretches to its maximum, nothing feels out of place in Killers of the Flower Moon.
Awards Bait, or 2023 Film Mastery?
With Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, the story of Ernest Burkhart and William King Hale gets entirely covered, but the lives of Kyle and her family have far more to tell. As a result, Killers of the Flower Moon is not a perfect product despite being classic Scorsese in every way. Even at age 81, he continues to re-learn and reinvent himself while holding onto a singular style. Some out there will be willing to call any Scorsese film the best film of the year, and while Killers of the Flower Moon does not deserve that title, it deserves an audience, its raising of awareness, and most of the awards it will undoubtedly receive.
Killers of the Flower Moon is streaming now on Apple TV+.