Martin Scorsese films can be really hit or miss for me. I loved The Aviator and Shutter Island but dislike anything mob related. I was bored to tears with The Irishman. So, when I went into Killers of the Flower Moon, I was prepared for the three and a half our runtime and for the possibility I would give up halfway through like I did with The Irishman. Fortunately, Scorsese utilizes his long runtime wisely and no walking out was required.
The film follows the Osage Indian Molly as her people strike oil on their reservation in 1920s Oklahoma. White men, led by Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio who plays his nephew, devise a plan to marry the female members of the tribe and then kill them off to get at the money. As you’ve already guessed, the large amount of deaths draw the attention of the FBI who investigate and being guilty persons to justice – or as much justice as can be had during a time when the KKK were welcome in parades (yes, that happens in this film.)
This film succeeds most when Lily Gladstone who plays protagonist Molly is on screen. Her performance is so understated yet emotional at the same time that it’s hard not to watch her. She easily outshines DiCaprio and DeNiro, adding nuance into a film that is standard Scorsese violence mingled with unlikable characters. Gladstone saves this film from being an absolute bore as she gives the viewer something to care about. To root for.
That said, the rest of the cast is great too, but the majority are so unlikable and manipulative that you hope the meet their end with a bullet. DeNiro adds nothing other than standard DeNiro. Convincing, but nothing I haven’t seen before. DiCaprio brings more emotion, but by the end is just a frowny faced villain trying to hold onto the wife he realized too late that he truly loved. Newly minted Oscar winner Brendan Fraser pops in for a few lines two hours and change into the film, and is the best burst of energy the film needed that far in. Many complain he is too intense, but for me, he brought life to the lead up to the third act.
If sitting for nearly four hours in a theater is your thing, then see it on the big screen. Lily Gladstone is worth it, but be prepared to feel the loss of her when she’s not on screen. It’s an uneven film, but watchable enough that you forgive its faults.
Three and a half out of five stars from this reviewer who hopes Lily Gladstone is who wins an Oscar for this film (I do believe Oppenheimer will win out on most of the major awards.)
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Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
Martin Scorsese films can be really hit or miss for me. I loved The Aviator and Shutter Island but dislike anything mob related. I was bored to tears with The Irishman. So, when I went into Killers of the Flower Moon, I was prepared for the three and a half our runtime and for the possibility I would give up halfway through like I did with The Irishman. Fortunately, Scorsese utilizes his long runtime wisely and no walking out was required.
The film follows the Osage Indian Molly as her people strike oil on their reservation in 1920s Oklahoma. White men, led by Robert DeNiro and Leonardo DiCaprio who plays his nephew, devise a plan to marry the female members of the tribe and then kill them off to get at the money. As you’ve already guessed, the large amount of deaths draw the attention of the FBI who investigate and being guilty persons to justice – or as much justice as can be had during a time when the KKK were welcome in parades (yes, that happens in this film.)
This film succeeds most when Lily Gladstone who plays protagonist Molly is on screen. Her performance is so understated yet emotional at the same time that it’s hard not to watch her. She easily outshines DiCaprio and DeNiro, adding nuance into a film that is standard Scorsese violence mingled with unlikable characters. Gladstone saves this film from being an absolute bore as she gives the viewer something to care about. To root for.
That said, the rest of the cast is great too, but the majority are so unlikable and manipulative that you hope the meet their end with a bullet. DeNiro adds nothing other than standard DeNiro. Convincing, but nothing I haven’t seen before. DiCaprio brings more emotion, but by the end is just a frowny faced villain trying to hold onto the wife he realized too late that he truly loved. Newly minted Oscar winner Brendan Fraser pops in for a few lines two hours and change into the film, and is the best burst of energy the film needed that far in. Many complain he is too intense, but for me, he brought life to the lead up to the third act.
If sitting for nearly four hours in a theater is your thing, then see it on the big screen. Lily Gladstone is worth it, but be prepared to feel the loss of her when she’s not on screen. It’s an uneven film, but watchable enough that you forgive its faults.
Three and a half out of five stars from this reviewer who hopes Lily Gladstone is who wins an Oscar for this film (I do believe Oppenheimer will win out on most of the major awards.)
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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