Will you witness the 'Killers of the Flower Moon'?
At over three hours long, cinema legend, Martin Scorsese brings audiences to a past filled with conflict, bloodshed, and family ties stretched to the extreme.
Directed by Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Eric Rothe and Scorsese, which is based on the book by David Grann.
When oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one - until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.
Trailer courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Where do you begin when discussing a project filled with so much talent? Killers of the Flower Moon is an astounding piece of modern filmmaking with talent covering every inch of every aspect.
Scorsese is back again collaborating with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in a new gritty film full of murder, love, betrayal, and sadness.
Based on a true story, the film starts off stylistically as a silent film with title cards and a 4:3 aspect ratio. The black and white film morphs into color and the aspect ratio to modern 16:9.
We follow Ernest, played by DiCaprio, as he arrives in Fairfax, Oklahoma, having just gotten back from the frontlines of World War One, and ready to live with his uncle "King" Bill Hale, played by De Niro, on his cattle ranch.
Ernest, unable to work a very physical job since being injured in the war, becomes a cabbie in town and chauffeurs a local Osage Indian woman, Mollie. Mollie's family is one of many from the Osage Nation whose land turned out to have oil. Therefore, the Osage Nation became very wealthy.
Osage people get murdered one-by-one. Little-to-no investigations are done to solve the killings.
Ernest falls for Mollie and "King" Hale implies to his nephew that he should marry her to make sure the money and land go to him, in the event of her and her family's death.
Ernest is manipulated by his puppet master of an uncle along with his very own brother. It becomes very clear that there's an unspoken tension between the white people and the Osage people. A seething jealousy and rage against the Native Americans.
The film is slow and methodical with its pacing as the story unfolds over a few years. Mollie and Ernest marry. They have kids. Mollie's sisters are murdered, and her mother dies.
We learn Ernest is not an angel by any means. The backstabbing and mysteries twist and turn. The newly formed FBI send agents to town to solve the murders. This, only after Mollie, suffering the effects of diabetes, went to Washington D.C. to speak directly with President Coolidge.
A trial ensues where "King" Hale is prosecuted, and Ernest makes a deal to testify against him.
This film is so watchable. It's a true edge-of-your-seat theater experience. You can almost feel the heat, the grit, and the humidity that emanates from the screen through that classic movie magic.
Every single actor here has a memorable character actor face. Wrinkles, scars, constantly sweaty, leathery, with nothing but scowls, frowns, or fake smiles hiding a sinister intent.
The film is terribly sad, even more so, since it's inspired by true events. Lily Gladstone plays Mollie so effectively with her knowing that she's in constant danger yet pursuing justice regardless. You feel her loss as she loses her family and friends around her.
Gladstone is a standout amongst the other titans of film.
Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, and Brendan Fraser make big splashes with their limited screentime. Plemons sticks out since he plays an FBI agent whose well-being you instantly worry for after a string of helpful authority figures previously met their demise.
DiCaprio gives a great performance, equally on par if not above his recent outing with Quentin Tarantino in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. To an almost comedic effect, Leo plays Ernest with a constant frown, maybe even a grimace. But it really works.
The film packs that R-rated Scorsese flare like his gory bluntness seen in his other classics like Taxi Driver. History isn't always pretty, and this film conveys that.
The three hour and 26-minute runtime might scare the casual moviegoer away, but it's a film that absorbs you if you let it. It leaves you curious about other hidden pockets of history in the United States.