Killers of the Flower Moon: In-depth Review and Why You Should Consider Watching the Movie?
Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” is an American epic that has been met with glowing reviews and rapturous reception at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, based on David Grann’s nonfiction bestseller “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI”, explores the dark side of the American dream in the bloody plains of an Osage Nation reservation in 1920s Oklahoma.
The Story
The film centers around Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), a World War I veteran who falls for Mollie (Lily Gladstone), a member of a wealthy Osage family. The Osage, having found oil reserves on their land, are the richest people per capita in the country. However, their wealth is closely controlled by appointed white guardians, leading to a series of murders and increasing panic among the Osage.
Why Should You Watch “Killers of the Flower Moon”?
“Killers of the Flower Moon” is a monumental cinematic experience that offers a unique blend of historical drama and crime thriller. It’s a film that explores the dark side of the American dream, the exploitation of the Native American people, and the destructive power of greed.
The performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro have been highly praised, with DiCaprio delivering what some critics have called the best performance of his life. The film’s attention to detail, its sinuous narrative, and its banked, righteous rage make it a must-watch for any film enthusiast.
Moreover, the film’s exploration of the Osage Nation’s history and the exploitation they faced adds a layer of depth and historical significance to the narrative. It’s a film that not only entertains but also educates and provokes thought about a dark chapter in American history.
Critical perspective
The film’s runtime of nearly three and a half hours is a significant drawback. While Scorsese is known for his lengthy films, “Killers of the Flower Moon” fails to justify its extended length. The narrative could have been more concise, delivering the same impact in a more digestible format.
The narrative focus of the film has been called into question. The story is adapted from David Grann’s book “The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI”, yet some reviewers believe the film does not sufficiently explore the experiences of the Osage people or the investigative efforts of the FBI. Instead, it largely concentrates on the character Ernest (played by DiCaprio), who is portrayed as a “stooge” who carries out murders under orders. Other potentially interesting characters, such as the main FBI agent responsible for cracking the case (played by Jesse Plemons) and Mollie, an Osage woman (played by Lily Gladstone), are not given as much narrative attention as some critics believe they should have received.
The film’s final half-hour has also been a topic of discussion, as it shifts in tone to become more of a black comedy about the incompetence of criminals. While some found this part of the film enjoyable, others question whether this was the appropriate tone to take when dealing with a real-life massacre of Native Americans
Comparing Killers of the Flower Moon with best 2 Movies in history as of IMDB data
| Killers of the Flower Moon | The Shawshank Redemption | The Godfather | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Martin Scorsese | Frank Darabont | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Release Year | 2023 | 1994 | 1972 |
| Genre | Crime, Drama | Drama | Crime, Drama |
| Starring | Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro | Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman | Marlon Brando, Al Pacino |
| Plot | The film is based on the Osage murders in the 1920s, where several Native Americans were killed after oil was discovered on their land. | A banker is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. | The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. |
| Critical Reception | The film has been met with glowing reviews and rapturous reception at the Cannes Film Festival. | The film is considered one of the greatest movies of all time, with high praise for its story and performances. | The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in world cinema and as one of the most influential, especially in the gangster genre. |
Official Trailer
Killers of the Flower Moon – in bullet points
- The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, marking Martin Scorsese’s first time presenting a film at Cannes since winning best director for “After Hours” in 1986.
- The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Jillian Dion, and Tantoo Cardinal. All of them were expected to hit the red carpet, along with additional cast and members of the filmmaking team.
- The film was produced by Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas at Imperative. The world premiere was set for May 20, at the prestigious Grand Théâtre Lumière.
- The film was confirmed to be released exclusively in theaters worldwide, in partnership with Paramount Pictures, limited on Oct. 6, and wide on Oct. 20, before streaming globally on Apple TV.
- The securing of Killers of the Flower Moon movie at Cannes was considered a major coup for the festival’s chief Thierry Fremaux and followed months of discussions with Apple and Paramount. Fremaux mentioned in an interview that one of the important things for this upcoming 76th edition of the festival was to make sure that Martin Scorsese attends with his new film, which he considers an important work.
