[FILM REVIEW] KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON Review (2023)

October 22, 2023November 16, 2023 Dave Addie Roahorse, Alex First, Alexis Ann, Alexis Waller, Anthony J Harvey, Barry Corbin, Bravery Nowlin, Brendan Fraser, Brent Langdon, Brian Shoop, Candice Costello, Cara Jade Myers, Chance Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Christopher Hill, Dana Daylight, David Fields, David Griffiths, Delani Chambers, Desiree Storm Brave, Eldon Henson, Elisha Pratt, Elizabeth Waller, Eric Roth, Everett Waller, Gabriel Casdorph, Gary Basaraba, Gene Jones, James Carroll, JaNae Collins, Jason isbell, Jennifer RaderYancy Red Corn, Jesse Plemons, Jessica Harjo, Jillian Dion, Jo Harvery Allen, Joe Chrest, Joey Oslesby, John Lithgow, Joseph Spinelli, Joshua Close, Katherin Willis, Killers Of The Flower Moon, Kinsley McNac, Kyle McGrath, Larry Sellers, Lee Eddy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Louis Cancelmi, Lux Britni Malaske, Madada Sanders, Mamie Cozad, Margaret Gray, Mark Landon SMith, Martin Scorsese, Michael Abbott Jnr, Moe Headrick, Norma Jean, Pat Healy, Pete Yorn, Randy Houser, River Rhoades, Roain Davis, Robert De Niro, Samuel French, Sarah Spurger, Scott Shepherd, Shonagh Smith, Steve Easton, Steve WittingJerry Wolf, Steven Routman, Sturgill Simpson, Talee Redcorn, Talon Satepauhoodie, Tantoo Cardinal, Tatanka Means, The Phuket News, Tommy Schultz, Ty Mitchell, USA, Vanessa Rose Pham, Wally Welch, William Belleau

Summary: 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.

Year: 2023

Cinema Release Dates: 19th October 2023 (Australia), 19th October 2023 (Thailand), 20th October 2023 (UK), 20th October 2023 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Martin Scorsese

Screenwriter: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese

Cast: Michael Abbott Jnr. (Agent Frank Smith), Jo Harvey Allen (Aunt Annie), Terry Allen (Uncle Jim), Alexis Ann (Mary Roan), Gary Basaraba (Detective Burns), William Belleau (Henry Roan), Desiree Storm Brave (Bertha Bigheart), Tantoo Cardinal (Lizzie Q), Louis Cancelmi (Kelsie Morrison), James Carroll (Mr. Solowey), Gabriel Casdorph (Joe Jones), Delani Chambers (Willie Hale), Joe Chrest (Lawyer Freeling), Joshua Close (Horace Burkhart), Janae Collins (Rita), Barry Corbin (Undertaker Turton), Candice Costello (Catherine Cole), Mamie Cozad (Baby Anna), Roanin Davis (Cowboy Burkhart), Dana Daylight (Anna Sanford), Robert De Niro (William Hale), Leonardo DiCaprio (Ernest Burkhart), Jillian Dion (Minnie), Steve Easton (Judge John C. Pollock), Lee Eddy (Mrs. mackie), David Fields (Bob the Cab Driver), Brendan Fraser (W.S. Hamilton), Samuel French (Agent CJ Robinson), Lily Gladstone (Mollie Burkhurt), Margaret Gray (Grace Bigheart), Jessica Harjo (Pearl), Anthony J. Harvey (Charlie Whitehorn), Moe Headrick (Sheriff Freas), Pat Healy (Agent John Burger), Eldon Henson (Duke Burkhart), Christopher Hill (John Bigheart), Randy Houser (Scott Mathis), Jason Isbell (Bill Smith), Norma Jean (Vera), Gene Jones (Pitts Beaty), Brent Langdon (Barney McBride), John Lithgow (Prosecutor Peter Leaward), Lux Britni Malaske (Baby Anna (2 years)), Kinsley McNac (Elizabeth Burkhart (2-3 Years)), Tatanka Means (John Wren), Ty Mitchell (John Ramsey), Charlie Musselwhite (Alvin Reynolds), Cara Jade Myers (Anna), Bravery Nowlin (Cowbody (2-3 Years)), Joey Oglesby (Roy Bunch), Vanessa Rose Pham (Elizabeth Burkhart), Jesse Plemons (Tom White), Elisha Pratt (Joseph Bigheart), Jennifer Rader (Sara Butler), Yancy Red Corn (Chief Bonnicastle), Talee Redcorn (Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga/Traditional Leader), River Rhoades (Cowboy (4-5 Years)), Addie Roanhorse (Mrs. DeNoya), Steven Routman (Dr. David Shoun), Chance Rush (Bill Stepson), Madada Sanders (Rose Lewis), Talon Satepauhoodle (John Whitehair), Tommy Schultz (Blackie Thompson), Larry Sellers (Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga), Scott Shepherd (Byron Buckhurt), Brian Shoop (Mr. Kraceon), Sturgill Simpson (Henry Grammer), Mark Landon Smith (President Coolidge), Shonagh Smith (Nettie Brookshire), Joseph Spinelli (Friendly Joe), Sarah Spurger (Martha), Alexis Waller (Elizabeth Burkhart (5-6 Years)), Elizabeth Waller (Elizabeth Burkhart (3-5 Years)), Everett Waller (Paul Red Eagle), Wally Welch (Bob Mount), Katherin Willis (Myrite Hale), Steve Witting (Dr. James Shoun), Jerry Wolf (Fred Denoya), Pete Yorn (Acie Kirby)

Running Time: 206 mins

Classification: M (Australia), 15 (Thailand), 15 (UK), R (USA)

OUR KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON REVIEWS

David Griffiths’s Killers Of The Flower Moon Review

When director Martin Scorsese decides to work with Leonardo DiCaprio on a project the result is normally nothing short of spectacular. Together in the past the duo have made screen classics like Gangs Of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf Of Wall Street. Now the pair come together for a seventh time to make the dramatic Killers of The Flower Moon.

Taken from the novel by David Gann Killers Of The Flower Moon tells the story of Ernest Buckhart (DiCaprio) a simple soldier who goes to live with his uncle, William Hale (Robert De Niro – Cape Fear), in Oklahoma after returning from World War I.

Upon arrival in the Osage Nation he is surprised to see the wealth that has been generated by the oil business and finds himself wanting to be part of it. While working as a chauffeur he meets and falls in love with the beautiful and wealthy Mollie Burkhart (Lily Gladstone – Certain Women). As their relationship develops his Uncle announces a sinister, murderous plan that will end up seeing himself and Ernest end up with the entire fortune that Mollie’s family have managed to generate.

While there are enough twists and turns to cause them to worry at times the plan seems like it is working until a gifted young FBI Agent named Tom White (Jesse Plemons – The Irishman) turns up in town determined to solve the murders that have left the Osage living in fear.

One of the first things that people need to know about Killers Of The Flower Moon is that it runs for a mammoth three and a half hours… and there are rumours that there is an even longer cut out there somewhere. While audiences won’t necessarily notice the length of the film while watching it they will also realise that there really was need for Scorsese to make this film run so long.

At the heart of Killers Of The Flower Moon is a simple murder story. Unlike other filmmakers Scorsese doesn’t muck around with trying to make his audience guess who the killer is – Hale murderous plan is put out in the open very early on in the film. What draws you into the plot as an audience member is not wanting to see anything bad happen to Mollie and wondering what the hell will become of Ernest by the time the end credits roll.

While the film itself is amazing to watch some audience members will find themselves walking away from it slightly disappointed. If they go into this expecting something as brilliant as Scorsese’s masterpieces, The Departed or Shutter Island, then they will be sorely disappointed. While the film is still a worthy watch there is no big twist or shocking moment that will have you talking about it in a decade to come. To be honest there is probably nothing in Killers Of The Flower Moon that makes it any better than an episode of Yellowstone.

What does draw you in with the film though is the brilliant screenplay by Scorsese and Eric Roth (Dune). Each scene feels like a masterclass in screenwriting as Scorsese choses to go the more dialogue and character driven route rather than fast car chases and epic stunts. Even the cat and mouse scenes between DiCaprio and Plemons are heavily dialogue driven, but they are so well written that they never make the film feel like it is dragging.

That well written script also allows for some spectacular acting performances. Lily Gladstone is sensational as one of toughest ‘victims’ you will ever seen on screen while the three leading men put in performances that will be hard to ignore come Oscar season.

Robert De Niro is brilliant playing a character that shifts between the most charming man in the room and chillingly terrifying in an instant while playing against Di Caprio will divide audiences as he plays the villain for once. Ernest is perhaps one of the most fascinating characters to appear in cinema this year as audiences will find themselves hating him for what he is doing to Mollie but also feeling sorry for him as he falls under the spell of his Uncle.

Then there is the performance of Jesse Plemons. As an actor Plemons often stole the show with his under-rated role in the hit television series Friday Night Lights and from there he has shown his acting range on the big screen as he tackles everything from comedy through to hard-hitting drama. Here he does his best John Wayne as he plays a Texan law man resolute on solving the crime at hand – and his portrayal of the role deserves to be award-winning.Killers Of The Flower Moon may not have as many memorable moments as some of Scorsese’s classics but it is still an amazing film that sees one of the best directors of modern cinema direct an amazing cast who all bring their A-Games.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Kyle McGrath’s Killers Of The Flower Moon Review

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Alex First’s Killers Of The Flower Moon Review

Based on fact, Killers of the Flower Moon is a western crime drama set in Oklahoma in the 1920s, which looks at the serial murder of oil-rich native Americans.

After arriving home from WWI, Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), moves in with his wealthy cattle rancher uncle, William King Hale (Robert De Niro).

Ernest begins working as a driver for King, as he is known.

His older brother Bryan (Scott Shepherd) is already on the payroll.

King rules the roost in this neck of the woods and makes out that he is considerate, caring and generous to the American Indians from the Osage Nation.

But what he is really interested in is the untold wealth that sits within the community.

They became some of the richest people in the world overnight in 1894, after oil was discovered on their land.

King is constantly maneuvering to get his grubby paws on a fortune.

In the first instance, that involves Ernest marrying into the family of a native.

Everything falls into King’s hands, as Ernest finds himself chauffeuring Mollie (Lily Gladstone) and the pair takes a shine to each other.

When the inevitable happens and the two get hitched, King’s nefarious plans are cemented.

Readily manipulating Ernest and with the latter onside, King impresses upon Ernest that Mollie, her sisters and mother are not long for this world.

Their life expectancy is already shorter than the white man’s and King sees to it that when they won’t die quickly enough of natural causes that he hastens their demise.

Truth be told that although Ernest loves his wife, who suffers from diabetes, he gets deeper and deeper into the mire, aiding his uncle’s plans to secure rich pickings.

Based on the book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann, the screenplay is by Eric Roth and director Martin Scorsese.

The latter has crafted a compelling, if stretched film. Its running time is three hours 26 minutes.

Robert De Niro is at his dominant best as the puppet master. He imposes himself on the film from the first scene in which we see him and shows no let up throughout.

It is an assured portrayal of a man who believes he can get away with anything.

Leonardo DiCaprio, too, is his solid and reliable acting self, as he immerses himself in the characterisation of a man who knows which way his bread is buttered.

Mind you, he deliberately depicts Ernest as not the smartest tool in the shed. His uncle prizes that out of him early on … and it is reflected in a number of decisions the latter makes.

My only qualm in his performance is what I term DiCaprio’s over-reliance on a downturned lip and scowl. Less would have been more in that regard.

Most impressive is Lily Gladstone in the quiet restraint she brings to her portrayal of a proud Osage woman. She is nothing if not respectful.

The production design by Jack Fisk is superb. It feels like an authentic step back in time.

Also striking is the cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, which includes stunning visual effects.

Killers of the Flower Moon is a quality production that brings to life an ugly chapter in American history, one driven by greed.

In closing, I should elaborate upon the title and where the term flower moon comes in.

Those two words are a reference to the first full moon that occurs in May in the Northern Hemisphere, when everything is in bloom. That pretty picture doesn’t last long, as summer arrives.

The five-year reign of terror in the movie starts in May 1921 with the discovery of the body of murdered Osage woman Anna Brown, who is one of Mollie’s sisters. Author David Grann uses the symbol of the flower-killing moon to represent what is perpetrated upon the Osage at the hands of whites.

Alex’s rating Out Of 5

Average Subculture rating Out Of 5

Other Killers Of The Flower Moon Reviews:

You can read our review of Killers Of The Flower Moon that ran in The Phuket News here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/killers-of-the-flower-moon-a-true-epic-89895.php

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