Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon
1919, Osage County, Oklahoma. Due to the discovery of oil on their land the Osage people are per capita the wealthiest people in the United States. Having just been discharged from the US Army, Ernest Burkhart returns to the area to work for his wealthy uncle, William Hale. Lately many Osage people have died in suspicious circumstances but nothing is being done about it.
rg9400 reviewedNovember 1, 2024
So to start, I do need to highlight that the movie, which clocks in at 3.5 hours, is definitely something that needed some stronger editing. Certain sections manage to feel rushed (!!!!!) despite the runtime, while others drag. The pacing is not nearly as tight as it should be, and the length itself is not the issue. I did not have this engagement issue with Oppenheimer which clocked in at 3 hours, so definitely something that knocked KotFM down a few pegs in my rankings. I'm fascinated by Scorsese's career trajectory, which has now arrived at this exploration of the American story as a story of sin, as a story of unspeakable horrors slowly unwinding in the guise of the moral high ground. It's a powerful thematic core that is explored to great effect here, though I do wish we got more from the perspective of Molly since she's the beating heart of this movie (and absolutely fantastic). In general, the performances all around are exceptional, with small side characters becoming fully inhabited and feeling like they live rich interior lives. The cinematography, soundtrack, score, technicals are all well executed as can be expected from one of the greats, but I don't know if there is any scene truly exceptional from a technical level that will stick with me like from some of his other movies. Though the penultimate scene is acted so phenomenally, so hauntingly, that I am sure that will. Finally, while something should be said about Scorsese turning a story centered around the birth of the FBI to a story grounded in the horrors the Osage experienced, it does still feel like an outsider's perspective. A story where the Osage are often passive, reactionary. I feel like this could have been executed better to make the actual characters more central to the story because the movie is at its best when that happens. Some really strong aspects, but noticeable weaknesses as well.