KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (15, 206mins) Drama. Starring : Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone
Director : Martin Scorsese
MOVIES like Goodfellas, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver consistently earn a cherished place on the 'Top 10 Movies of All Time' lists of most ardent film enthusiasts.
Arguably one of the most esteemed filmmakers in history, Martin Scorsese has always defied predictability in his craft.
Following the colossal success of The Wolf of Wall Street in 2013, Scorsese took a divergent path by creating the intimate and less commercially triumphant masterpiece, Silence.
Killers of the Flower Moon shares a profound kinship with Silence through its evocative and unfiltered portrayal of its characters.
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It's in films like these that Scorsese's auteur spirit shines brilliantly. While his gangster films have garnered enduring acclaim, his true artistic essence becomes unmistakably evident here.
In Killers of the Flower Moon, Scorsese dedicates his soul to sculpting frames that unveil the intricate, often unsettling, dance between those who inflict pain and those who endure it.
Adapted from David Grann's book, the film vividly dramatises a harrowing true tale of wealth-fuelled murder amongst the Osage Native Americans during the oil boom of 1920s Oklahoma.
Scorsese's exploration of violence and corruption in the American landscape is a well-trodden path.
His mob-centred films dissect organised crime with a nuanced, almost anthropological perspective, offering complex portrayals of morally ambiguous characters.
Killers of the Flower Moon is a continuation of Scorsese's enduring fascination with the pronounced power imbalances and historical injustices that have plagued American society.
Through his scene staging, Scorsese skillfully lays bare the deep-seated prejudices and inhumanity that paved the way for the Osage atrocities.
In his storytelling, he refrains from passing moral judgement; instead, he allows the narrative to unfurl organically, offering a stark portrayal of events as they might occur in any setting.
The film's stunning cinematography and production design work in unison to effortlessly transport viewers to the 1920s ambiance of Osage County.
Scorsese's deliberate choice of using landscape shots and skillful tracking sequences masterfully weaves an enduring undercurrent of tension, all while firmly rooting this sombre narrative in a tangible and immersive environment.
Unlike his signature rapid-cut techniques often associated with his gangster films, in Killers of the Flower Moon, Scorsese allows the scenes to breathe, taking his time between each cut, allowing the story to unfold with a deliberate and contemplative rhythm.
Scorsese perfectly calibrates a slow escalation of dread as the extent of a monstrous mass murder plan is revealed.
There are no flashy montages or overt stylistic flourishes. Instead, the terror comes from Scorsese's commitment to historical authenticity and patient character development.
At its core, the film is anchored by Leonardo DiCaprio's simmering and understated performance as Ernest Burkhart, the unsuspecting pawn who “loves money” in the conniving web of Robert De Niro's greedy rancher, William Hale.
DiCaprio's portrayal of Burkhart serves as our lens into the insidious schemes Hale orchestrates to syphon the wealth of the Osage people Burkhart has become connected to.
Lily Gladstone gives one of the best performances of the year. She encapsulates the pain and self-awareness stemming from her exploitation by her own husband with a subdued and introverted charm, setting her character in a league of its own, distinct from any other in the film.
Robert De Niro also delivers a calculated performance, portraying a character who articulates what needs to be said, precisely when it needs to be said.
Killers of the Flower Moon has drawn criticism for its three-and-a-half-hour run-time, a somewhat unusual critique for Martin Scorsese who has directed six films longer than this one.
While this critique may be valid, it's important to recognize that the film takes its time to vividly depict the sustained oppression and manipulation of the Osage people, providing a comprehensive portrayal of the injustices they endured.
This deliberate pace may not appeal to all audiences, particularly those who find certain slower moments less engaging.
With Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese reaffirms why he's one of the greatest storytellers of our time, consistently captivating audiences with his narratives.
Overall, Scorsese's 26th project is a haunting, meticulously crafted portrait of a disturbing period in American history. His masterful direction shines a light on the human capacity for avarice and cruelty, and the film ranks among the greatest works of a prolific, brilliant career.
A chilling must-see, any fan of Scorsese's uncompromising, sociological approach to cinema will find much to appreciate in Killers of the Flower Moon's nuanced true-crime tale.
RATING: 4/5
Killers of the Flower Moon is in cinemas now.
