Killers of the Flower Moon

So much on offer here, Scorsese is truly a master working at the top of his game. What is undeniably felt in this film from the first frame all the way through the lengthy run time until the closing shot, is his unwavering and unmatched command over the screen.

Yes, the film is lengthy. Saying "I didn't feel the runtime" feels hyperbolic and is probably untrue, it's a beast of a film, but I think it's hard to argue that this film doesn't just breeze past and is all the more impressive considering its runtime. The editing is done in such a way which always has the film piquing your interest. The film knows when to cut, when to shock, when to excite and, perhaps most importantly, when to linger. You become invested in the story through the powerful edits. (Not flawless however which I will touch upon later)

Scorsese is playing in his wheelhouse here. The setting may disguise this film as something it isn't, it very much is about white crime, a story Scorsese knows all too well. This is not diminishing the care and attention placed on telling the story of the Osage people, it feels authentic and like there was work done to make sure their story was told properly, however when it comes down to it, it is simply a backdrop to a story of white crime.

As such Scorsese opts to tell the story from the perspective of Leonardo DiCaprio's character Ernest. For a film so lengthy, both in runtime and in the period it spans, you want your main character to be as compelling as possible, you're spending the majority of the film with him. Leo manages to grab your attention and really place yourself into Ernest's mind. Ernest is a simple man, it's clear from the very start of the film, and his naivety is consistent throughout as his character develops. What's incredibly captivating about Leo's performance however is how he plays Ernest as if he thinks he's smart. It's clear underneath his overt glossy eyed view, is a man who thinks he's intelligent and as the film progresses his intelligence doesn't yet his perspective of his intelligence does. Such a wildly fascinating performance.

The performance highlight personally I think was Robert De Nero. I mean he is just magnetic when he comes on screen. He plays the most unflinchingly evil man. Unlike Ernest who is oblivious to the actions he's performing, De Nero's turn as William knows what he's doing but does so with a smile plastered over his face, shielding the evil lurking within. Slowly his facade begins to break however but never so much as to have an outburst.

What a real strength of the film to have the vast majority of it be so underplayed and reserved. Rarely are there large outbursts of emotions, everyone is playing a game. It's intentional as well as William points out very early on that the Osage are reserved so Ernest should be as well.

No one does reserved better than Lily Gladstone. Now this is perhaps where my criticisms will seep in. Gladstone gives a fascinating performance, so subtle, so quiet and a beautiful contrast to the often exaggerated Leo. Yet, she just needed more. If the film was even longer yet provided more of Molly I would have happily watched as I feel like it's what the film is desperately missing.

When she's on screen, she's the focal point. It's hard to look away as you're desperately seeking to understand how she feels. Sadly, the film just doesn't give her enough to do. We're never really privy to her reactions to the things happening. Perhaps we get an outburst but what is lacking is the aftermath of these events and how she feels. I think this actually becomes a real problem towards the end of the film.

For a large majority of the film, I think you are made to feel as if she is naive. This is really enforced by an encounter that happens near the end of the film. Yet, I feel like there has been a miscommunication as Gladstone feels as if she's playing her with some intelligence of what's really going on. This dissonance between what the film wants you to think and how she is playing her was jarring. It becomes really confusing in the last part of the film when things are coming to light, but her character is still naive and reactionless.

I think part of the problem as well comes from how scenes are edited when she is in them. The focal point is almost always the other character. There were conversations that would hold on Leo and I desperately wanted to know how she was feeling. It really lessens the impact of her character by not getting to spend much time with her. In particular a scene at the end, which people are sure to have reactions to, which I thought was beautiful would have had so much more of an impact had we known more of who Molly was.

I think this also speaks to a larger issue with the film. I mentioned earlier that this is essentially a white crime film set against the backdrop of the Osage people. We do sometimes get to have scenes from the perspective of the Osage people and when this happens the film elevates itself. The film does a disservice by not including more as it's so fascinating to hear how these people feel and are being affected. We lack this with Molly and sadly also with the people at large. I understand that this was not Scorsese's intention, but it just feels more interesting.

With all of this in mind, this is still a stunning film. I feel like I don't even need to go into technical elements as they are essentially all flawless. The reservations I have are purely wanting more from it, had there been a longer version I would watch, and I think that is truly the sign of a good film