Cinematography: 8/10
Costumes: 8/10
Sets: 8.5/10
Acting: 10/10
Special Effects: n/a
Character development: 9/10
“Killers of the Flower Moon,” directed by Martin Scorsese, is a cinematic journey that takes viewers into the heart of a dark conspiracy and unravels a dark chapter of American history. When the Osage Tribe in 1920s Oklahoma discovers oil on their land, they become rich, fast. Though the tribe retained their rights on the land, white, local bosses systematically plot to steal all their wealth. Based on David Grann’s non-fiction book, the film explores the story of America’s relationship with the Osage Tribe through themes of greed, corruption and racial exploitation and violence.
This film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart and Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkart, alongside Robert De Niro and others. DiCaprio delivers a truly captivating performance: his character is a man caught in the web of being dishonest, torn between loyalty and the pursuit of money. Gladstone brings strength and immense vulnerability to the role of Mollie, adding a layer of depth to the narrative. Released in October 2023, the box office received around $157 million dollars and though was given an outstanding 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, however, it only mustered up 3.1 stars on Audience Reviews on Google.
One of Scorses’s greatest strengths lies in his ability to recreate historical settings with authenticity, and “Killers of the Flower Moon” is no exception. The film provides background information through Osage stories and picture books. More notably, this was shown through the Osage Tribes’ spoken language. Some phrases or scenes are left untranslated. According to Scorsese, viewers should “see the movie, not read the movie” and that “in the scenes where the subtitles are not included, the viewers should be able to tell what is being said.” In addition, writers also used original accounts from Osage who lived during this time period. The cinematography captures the sprawling landscapes of the Osage Nation while also depicting a small, classic Western town. The use of birds’-eye-view pans creates a seamless effect and demonstrates how the town and tribal land are in the middle of nowhere, adding a sense of isolation to the story.
The screenplay balances the personal stories of each of the characters with the broader historical context, creating a mix of emotion, plot and romance. While the film is over three hours long, the pacing is intentional and allows the tension to build steadily. I believe, however, that a few storylines could have been simplified, like those of Mollie’s mother and sisters. The focus should have stayed on Mollie.
In all, though a long movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon” follows a clear narrative. The plot does not go off track and all storylines end resolved. Each actor strongly portrays their character and I believe that Gladstone, the first Native American to be nominated for Best Actress, has a high chance of winning Best Actress in a Leading Role. As Scorsese noted, “I was absolutely riveted by Lily in the film: by her presence, by her trust in quiet and simplicity and by her command of her ‘instrument,’ as some actors put it. It was like watching one of the great silent actors.” If you like long, historical dramas with some action and mystery, Killers of the Flower Moon is for you. It creates a detailed snapshot of the time period shown through the incredible acting, intricate sets and intentional cinematography.
