Based on the 2017 book of the same name by David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon tells the true story of how members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s, sparking a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover. Whenever a new Martin Scorsese movie comes out and stars either Robert De Niro or Leonardo DiCaprio, you know you’re in for something special. In the case of Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, we are gifted with both De Niro and DiCaprio starring in this three and a half hour crime drama epic. It can be very easy in this day and age to task a story of such density to a lesser director and hope for the best. The good news is that with Scorsese at the helm, we are treated to a carefully crafted, delicately executed, and deeply compelling western crime drama epic that arguably boasts the best acting from Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in years and a brilliantly subdued performance from Lily Gladstone.
First off, I would like to heap praise upon the impeccably detailed production and costume design for this film. Almost instantly, you as a viewer feel sucked in to the 1920’s Oklahoma Fairfax community, complements to the engrossing cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto and elaborate set design that brings this time period to vivid life. Leonardo DiCaprio gives his best performance in ten years as Ernest Burkhart, delivering so much subtle nuance to this despicably greedy character that it oftentimes leaves the viewer in shock by his deceiving decision making. Portraying Ernest’s uncle and Osage political boss William King Hale is Robert De Niro who does such a fine job at playing this deceptive and corrupt figure that makes strategic moves to take advantage of the Osage people’s wealth and oil money. He’s the kind of guy who sneakily pulls strings behind the scenes, working with both the white and Osage people in such a fashion that really benefits only himself monetarily. It’s this blatant corruption and greed that no one ever seems to want to put an end to, making Hale virtually untouchable.
Whenever DiCaprio is sharing a dialogue scene with De Niro as their relationship develops over the course of the film, I was truly immersed by the sheer level of acting prowess on display. Not only is their chemistry with each other so believable, but the manner in which their dynamic progresses from beginning to end is equally enthralling to watch play out. Lily Gladstone as full blooded Osage and Ernest’s wife may very well be the MVP of this entire film, giving a mostly reserved performance sprinkled with moments of powerful melodrama that punches you in the gut. Gladstone and DiCaprio are terrific together, and watching as their manufactured relationship gets slowly ripped apart bit by bit as the “mysterious” murders of Osage people pile up was effectively heart wrenching. Although the film runs at nearly three and a half hours, Eric Roth’s script contains almost no fat or overly complicated and wordy dialogue, thus ensuring that each line, whether exposition or conversation based, has meaning and purpose to naturally further the story. Certain aspects of the Osage culture are smartly embedded throughout the story and done so in a clever way that adds depth, context, and logical payoffs to concepts that were introduced earlier on in the film.
In terms of supporting actors, there’s Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, Cara Jade Myers, and plenty of Osage members who all do an excellent job, but for me, it has to be my man Brendan Fraser in a small yet noteworthy role that chewed up the scenery in the best way possible. Robbie Robertson’s bluesy and percussive oriented soundtrack appropriately fits the tone and at times feels like an individual character, with drums that play as if it’s the film’s beating heart. What really helps make this film work besides everything else I’ve mentioned is that the narrative is strictly linear from start to finish, with no convoluted attempts to backtrack or mess with the overall timeline. This straightforward approach from Scorsese allows the viewer to clearly understand who the characters are and what their relationships are with one another without ever getting lost in a needlessly complex narrative structure. The final hour of the film is genuinely stomach churning and the ending itself will be talked about in the film discourse community for years to come.
As I hurtle towards the end of this review, I am having difficulty finding any real flaws with this film. With the touchy subject matter of indigenous people being murdered and taken advantage of, this easily could have been your typically preachy, surface level, and self indulgent Hollywoodized true story movie. Thankfully, Scorsese handles this tale with a sensitivity, understanding, and delicateness that only a director of his caliber can pull off. Overall, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon is a staggering western crime drama epic. It showcases outstanding performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone in a tragically gripping chronicle of greed, corruption, the horrific treatment of the native peoples, and the evil that lies within men’s hearts. Yet another Scorsese masterpiece.
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