Views on Killers of the Flower Moon: In my recent perusal of Rich’s review of Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s latest film delving into the Osage Indian murders, I couldn’t help but recall my father’s contrasting perspective. After watching the movie, he lauded it as a “magnificent” piece, emphasizing its exceptional storytelling, stellar performances, and profound exploration of themes like good versus evil, faith, family, and marriage.
Having read Rich’s critical take, it seems we viewed entirely different films. I found little semblance between his portrayal and my own experience. Despite its length, which some might find challenging, the film adeptly crafts a narrative that would have otherwise been diluted if rushed. Far from being “plodding” and “grim,” the movie is a captivating portrayal of the complex battle between light and darkness, rendered without succumbing to desolation.
Rich posits that “The Coen brothers would have done it better,” and while that may hold some merit, Killers evoked in me shades of the Coen brothers’ cult classic, Fargo. The film’s sharp dialogue and its deft contrast between the villains’ superficiality and the depths of their wickedness bear an uncanny resemblance to the Coen brothers’ signature style.
For those seeking a glimpse into the plot (sans spoilers), the narrative revolves around Ernest Burkhart (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a disillusioned World War I veteran who reunites with his brother Byron (Scott Shepherd) and uncle William “King” Hale (Robert De Niro) in the Osage territory of Oklahoma. Their keen interest in the oil wealth on Native American land leads them down a treacherous path, entangled in a murderous scheme that implicates Ernest’s relationship with Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone) and her family, owners of lucrative oil headlights. As the FBI steps in, the story unfolds, weaving a complex web of villainy and human emotion.
Amidst the portrayal of villainous deeds, the film offers a nuanced exploration of Ernest’s internal conflict, torn between his affection for his wife and his entanglement in sin. Scorsese masterfully keeps the audience guessing until the very end, teasing at the ultimate choice Ernest will make.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What do people think of Killers of the Flower Moon?
Indigenous actor, writer, and director Devery Jacobs, who portrayed Elora Danan on the recently finished FX comedy “Reservation Dogs,” expressed intense criticism for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Jacobs took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her view, describing the film as “painful, grueling, unrelenting, and unnecessarily graphic.”
Why is Killers of the Flower Moon controversial?
Gladstone recognizes and supports the criticism of Killers of the Flower Moon for presenting the narrative from a non-Osage point of view. The movie’s angle has caused debate because of its emphasis on the white character, Ernest, instead of the Osage characters.
Is Killers of the Flower Moon worth watching?
An impressive, yet not quite exceptional, film for me with strong performances and a final scene that leaves a lasting impact. It’s a poignant American saga that unveils the brutality and unfairness in the country’s past, portraying a compelling story of widespread prejudice, avarice, and homicide.
Was Killers of the Flower Moon accurate?
The book Killers of the Flower Moon recounts the real-life experiences of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman who was married to a white man named Ernest Burkhart. Mollie and her family owned many properties on the Osage reservation and were prospering from the profits of their mineral rights.