Love, wealth, murder mystery and the prowess of the actors will leave the viewers of this historical masterpiece in a chokehold.
The years between 1918 and 1930 were devastating and horrible for the Osage Natives of America. A series of murders was cast upon them. The oil on their land became a curse. Young men and women were murdered in cold blood.
The film is based upon a book of the same name by an American author and New York Times Best Seller of The Lost City of Z, David Grann. The legendary Martin Scorcese, in the directing role, also teams up with Eric Roth for the screenplay. Together, they created a narrative exposition that allows the main characters to tell a story within a story, thus enhancing the plot of the film.
The cast for the film includes Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert Deniro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons and the 2023 Academy Award winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Brendan Fraser. Fraser became the first Canadian to win this category.
Killers of the Flower Moon was first released on May 20, 2023, in Cannes, France at the Cannes Film Festival. It was later theatrically released in the United States on October 20, 2023, by Apple TV+ under their Apple Original Films label, alongside Paramount Pictures. It was also screened in IMAX.
With a budget of 200 million dollars, the film has so far had a theatrical run of 44 million. The film is rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes which is surprisingly good for a film that runs for 3 hrs and 26 mins.
Ernest, a former cook in the infantry meets Molly, a member of the Osage tribe. Their love story becomes an essential element at the epicentre of Killers of the Flower Moon. William Halle, as played by Robert De Niro, tells his nephew Ernest to marry Molly for material gain. The series of murders against the Osage people is a plot to steal their wealth. As lengthy as the film is, the strong love connection between Ernest and Molly is fascinating. Regardless of the betrayal and deceit, the love Molly has for Ernest is compelling in the eyes of the viewer.
Rodrigo Prieto did a magnificent job for cinematography in Argo, the 2012 film that told the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. With Killers of the Flower Moon, Prieto brought precision to the picture. Arguably his best work for visual recreation of a true story that breathes life into a Native set. Prieto gives the film a visual delight.
For filming purposes, the homes of the main characters were specifically constructed to give the viewer a touch and feel of 1920 Osage. One of the scenes was shot in Fair Fax Oklahoma where the Osage people resided.
Killers of the Flower Moon comes with a special bluesy music score. The Canadian musician, singer and songwriter, Robbie Robertson captivates the audience with a soundtrack that resonates with the tragic story of the film. Unfortunately, Robbie Robertson passed away on August 9, 2023, at the age of 80.
The costumes in Killers of the Flower Moon were beautifully designed by Jacqueline West. The costume designer seems to have a ‘Midas touch’ for blockbusters as West also designed costumes for The Revenant and Argo. Enchanting, impressive, vibrant and authentic is what costumes in the film portray. A clear representation of the culture of the Osage people and the 1920 spruce suits and dresses of the then America.
The director uses a strong emotional love connection between two people from different cultural backgrounds to tell a tragic story of a Native tribe. The craftiness of the actors gives a perfect representation of the story with emotional boundlessness, yet brilliant and adventurous.
If you are a sophisticated film lover, this is for you to watch!
The film is available in theatres now.
