Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro collaborating for a film is like a dream come true. Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio have always been favorite actors of Martin Scorsese. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro have delivered a couple of classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino. Martin Scorsese and Leonardo have also delivered classics like The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf Of Wall Street.
Killers Of The Flower Moon is another good film if not great, in the filmography of Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese. The film is a predictable crime drama but the magical direction of Martin Scorsese keeps us hooked till the end.
In the 1920s, members of the Osage Native American tribe of Osage County, Oklahoma, are murdered after oil is found on their land. Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns from World War I to his rancher uncle William King Hale (Robert De Niro). Hale, popularly called as King, poses as a friendly benefactor of the Osage and bestows gifts upon them, but he secretly schemes to murder them and steal their wealth. Ernest on following orders from uncle Hale romances Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), an Osage whose family owns oil headrights. Hale tells Ernest that he will inherit a greater share of the headrights as more of Mollie’s family dies and kills all her family members. The Bureau Of Investigation decides to investigate these murders.
Leonardo DiCaprio is a fabulous actor and we have seen in the past what he is capable of. Leo is very natural in his performance and puts up a solid show. He easily gets into the shoes of character. Robert De Niro is a living legend and shines in this grey shaded character. The transformation needed for his character seems to be difficult but he transforms himself very easily on-screen. It’s difficult to choose between Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, who acted better? Lily Gladstone is such a fabulous actor and a complete surprise package. It is next to impossible to leave a mark with your performance, when you already have acting legends like Leo and Robert De Niro, but Lily Gladstone has put up a fine show which will be talked about for years. The supporting cast is fabulous and adds more fragrance to Killers Of The Flower Moon. The short cameo of Martin Scorsese in the end is delightful.
Killers Of The Flower Moon is not about story but it’s about storytelling, film-making and performances. The film is a complete Martin Scorsese show from start to end.
The cinematography, framework and detailing are top-notch. The entire atmosphere created on-screen is fabulous. The film makes us believe that we are in Osage by providing a wonderful cinematic experience.
Martin Scorsese keeps the film realistic as much as possible. There are no unnecessary added scenes which hurt the narrative and spoil the fun. The film tests your patience (in a good sense) and is a slow burner. Martin Scorsese makes sure the film is like a slow poison which won’t kill you but will satisfy your hunger of watching a good cinema.
Though the film doesn’t bore, there could have been a little trimming to make this one more crispier. The story is predictable and so is the show, the screenplay could have been more tighter and fast paced.
There are films which bore the audience despite having a short runtime of 100 minutes and then there is Killers Of The Flower Moon with 206 minutes long duration. Martin Scorsese deserves a huge round of applause for pulling off such a subject in an intriguing way.
The long duration of 206 minutes is a problem only for those who are not familiar with the kind of cinema made by Martin Scorsese. Those who have witnessed the cinema of Martin Scorsese are in for a 206 minutes long treat.
Overall Killers Of The Flower Moon turns out to be a satisfying experience. Watch the film for Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro’s superlative performances and Martin Scorsese’s magical direction. If you have patience and craving to witness good cinema, this one should definitely be on your watchlist.
Rating – 3/5*
