As a long-time Scorsese enthusiast, I’ve seen my fair share of masterpieces from the legendary director. From GoodFellas to Raging Bull, his tales of crime and tragic heroes have left an indelible mark on me. So, when I heard about Killers of the Flower Moon, a period epic reuniting Scorsese with his trusted collaborators DiCaprio and De Niro, I was beyond excited!
Contrary to those who believed Martin Scorsese’s 2019 film, “The Irishman,” was his swan song, they were proven wrong when in 2023, Scorsese raised the stakes by assembling once more two of his long-time associates, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, for a three-and-a-half-hour period drama titled “Killers of the Flower Moon.” With an estimated budget ranging from $200 million to $215 million, and the screenwriter behind acclaimed movies such as “Schindler’s List” and “Forrest Gump,” it seemed that the renowned director was well on his way to another successful venture.
On October 20, 2023, “Killers of the Flower Moon” will be released for viewing, followed by streaming, and it immediately received praise from critics. Richard Brody from “The New Yorker” stated that the film elevates silence to a near-transcendent level of passion. Stephanie Zacharek from “TIME Magazine” described Scorsese’s adaptation as somber and poetic. Although some critics noted its shortcomings, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was celebrated as another late-career success in the longtime collaboration between Scorsese and De Niro.
How Does Killers of the Flower Moon Compare to Other Scorsese Films?
Given Martin Scorsese’s impressive filmography, likening “Killers of the Flower Moon” to any of his previous works is a significant compliment. What makes it stand out is its unique blend of genres, which are seldom combined in a production of this magnitude by Scorsese. A primary genre that comes into play is crime, an area where Scorsese has excelled, but “Killers of the Flower Moon” also incorporates elements from other genres, making it a distinct addition to his oeuvre.
In a unique blend, Scorsese’s latest work, Killers of the Flower Moon, intertwines aspects of romantic melodrama reminiscent of films like The Age of Innocence, touches of comedic absurdity akin to After Hours, and historical narrative similar to Gangs of New York. However, the simultaneous attempt to balance these contrasting tones in Killers of the Flower Moon somewhat dilutes its impact compared to Scorsese’s usual body of work. Instead, Scorsese shines brightest when he infuses his distinctive ironic and tragic perspective into a hero’s downfall, as seen in characters like Henry Hill from GoodFellas and Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
In the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon,” DiCaprio’s character, Ernest Burkhart, is not given a more nuanced portrayal. Instead, he is primarily depicted as a clumsy fool who stumbles into these circumstances rather than intentionally causing them. On one hand, this isn’t necessarily a flaw in the story, but it leaves “Killers of the Flower Moon” feeling like an unfinished narrative that could have benefited from a stronger sense of ownership. Unfortunately, it remains just another tale about crime gone awry, lacking unique elements to set it apart or develop its characters more distinctly.
Where Killers of the Flower Moon Goes Wrong
In this movie that strongly criticizes white men, it seems there’s a missed chance to make a more impactful statement. The storyline revolves around identifying and eliminating the target, followed by mourning, until the white man gains control – which is fine, but Martin Scorsese has explored corruption themes in far more intriguing ways that remain untapped here. Killers of the Flower Moon features an outstanding performance by Lily Gladstone, yet she spends a considerable part of the film confined to bed.
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2024-09-09 03:01