Review – Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) directed by Martin Scorsese.
Watched on October 22nd, 2023
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
It's always interesting that before movies like these, I find myself in the "bring back intermissions" camp. I've even had the chance to watch some old movies on film and have experienced having a proper 10-15 minute intermission in the middle of the film, and thought it worked really well. But then after I watch the movie, I end up not really minding the length or lack of a break? Then again, that's just with the good ones; there's certainly been some slogs that have really felt their runtime. But this one sure was a good one.
I'm still kinda letting the whole experience soak in, but I truly did think this was tremendous in a lot of ways. Perhaps what stuck out the most was the authenticity of the story. At first glance, one might have frowned upon Martin Scorsese being the one to tell this story. Sure, he has most certainly proven that he is an incredibly gifted director that could (and did) do the story justice, but then comes in the push for stories to be told from the voices they're about. However, from everything I've seen (and the prerecorded curtain speech), it's so inspiring how much effort went into welcoming, including, and encouraging Native American and Osage support with this film, and that's wholly evident in the final product. It oozes with genuine sincerity, authenticity, and pride. I don't necessarily think that everyone is excluded from telling certain stories if they're right for the part to create good art, but you've gotta do it right and do it justice. And Scorsese did just that, tremendously and inspiringly so.
And once you watch the movie, you see just how fitting it was for Scorsese to tell this story with these themes. It really pulls the curtain away and takes a look at a lot of ugly things that are a part of American history, ones that are obvious and ones not quite so. The movie feels like swirling a steaming pot, and the big picture simmers and comes together slowly. And when it does, it's a deeply haunting and brutally tragic story. I think the movie earns its runtime, be it a hot take or not. I really don't know what could be cut, and the overall pacing and slow escalation of the story works so well for the mood and drama of it all. It was subtle in its shock, and I respect and appreciate that a lot about a film that could have so very easily been a "shock-value" heavy movie.
The movie is also surrounded by talent. Lily Gladstone for sure, and Leonardo DiCaprio of course, though he rarely gives a performance short of astounding nowadays. There's a moment near the end where DiCaprio takes a while to answer a question from someone, and his reaction, facial expression, and delivery of his answer is one of the best things I've seen from an actor. Gladstone is such a powerful presence in this film, I'll be shocked if she doesn't receive loads of praise and more powerful roles in the future. It's beautifully shot film, with huge kudos to Rodrigo Prieto. This guy shot two of the most beautiful movies of the year, shooting Barbie as well. Can't believe I'm just learning about him now. That slo-mo oil shot is gorgeous, as well as the overall color and mood of the film.
And without spoilers, something happens at the very end that really had me tearing up. It's so powerful, almost breaking the fourth wall, and it moved me a lot. It pretty much made the movie for me.
I feel so privileged and happy to have seen a Martin Scorsese film in theaters (technically not my first time, though I was not aware of Scorsese's stature when I first watched Hugo as a kid). I've had a very interesting relationship with him in my film journey. When I first got into movies back in late 2019 early 2020, that was also around the time when Martin Scorsese's comments about Marvel blew up on the internet and in the world. Being an avid Marvel fan at the time, I disagreed, and my initial view towards him was that of an older person who just "didn't get it" and was stuck on outdated traditional values. I even went as far as writing an article disagreeing with him in a Journalism class in high school, and dedicating a whole semester in my sophomore year of college towards a rhetorical speech project arguing why "Marvel is cinema." However, since then I've not only had a chance to watch a lot more of his films (as well as films in general, gaining knowledge and experience), and I've really grown to respect and admire him tenfold. I've come around to the idea that he truly is right about Marvel and the state of the film industry/movie theaters in general (sorry if this is a hot take). And to state it again, I've just really grown so much deep-found respect and admiration for him not only as a filmmaker with cemented impact on film history, but as someone who still makes movies in 2023, a time when making and seeing film is both more accessible to many yet arguably harder to reach audiences than ever. He just has so much love, passion, knowledge, and genuine understanding of the art form, and to see him continue to make projects that ooze with that passion is beyond inspiring, especially given how old he is!! I've certainly come a long way with my relationship to the man, but I am happy to be at a place where I can safely call him one of the greatest directors of all time, and also one of the greatest still working today. I look forward to supporting the work he continues to make, and exploring what he has made that I have not seen yet. Thank you, Martin Scorsese.
Check out the original review posted on Letterboxd here.
