I'll have to confess that this is my first Martin Scorsese film --- I've heard legends and myths about Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Wolf of Wall Street, but never really got the chance to watch them. And therefore it's really hard to describe what makes Killers of the Flower Moon a scrupulous, captivating, and evocative piece of true cinema. Perhaps a particular setting with blinded windows reminds me of Frances Coppola's The Godfather; perhaps the inter-dialogue silence reminds me of the Coen brother's No Country for Old Men; perhaps the occasional dark humor reminds me of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction; or perhaps the "made by Scorsese" label influences my judgment. I could not tell exactly, but the work itself showcases craftsmanship which I have never before seen. Specifically, all the discourses in the movie are presented with incredible precision, whether in terms of cinematography, character layout, script writing, lighting, or plot progression --- the directing is just flawless. Take away the exteriors, the film actually narrates quite a simple story: scammers slash murderous getting exposed. And yet, if we put it into the historical context of Indians versus whites, plus the elements of interracial romance, detective mystery, and humanity, something suddenly clicks.
I don't think Leonardo DiCaprio has performed an "uglier" role than Ernest Burkhart --- even his Calvin Candie in Django Unchained is bestowed some maniacal comicality. Physically, Ernest is stout, stained-teethed, and always frowning like a wrinkled pumpkin, prompting me to wonder if his actor is seriously the same guy who played Jack in Titanic. What makes Ernest truly loathsome is his character: avaricious, spineless, frequently imprudent, and often foolish. Most disgustingly, he is faithless --- hinted at start by him not attending churches despite being Catholic --- when promised profit and protection Ernest abides by his uncle's game, yet when regret overwhelms after the death of his daughter he immediately chooses to testify against Hale. Ernest represents the banality of evil during the Indian persecution; unlike Hale who masks his guile and malice beneath the complexion, Ernest is simply incompetent. What more could be said about a man who claims to love his wife while feeding her poison daily!
Lily Gladstone will most definitely be nominated in the next Oscar for her role as Mollie. Throughout the first act, the lady is demure, well-dressed, graceful, but shrewd, observant, and aloof --- her trait is almost the perfect epitome of the Indian culture. It is for these fascinating qualities that make her schemed fall so tragic, into becoming bereft, fragile, sickened, disheveled, and vomiting one's heart out on the sweat-soaked deathbed. The Native Americans made only one mistake that was fatal in their fight against the intruders: for being too quiet, for being too patient, for being too kind.
What an exciting year for cinema! Nolan's got his Oppenheimer, Scorsese with Killers of the Flower Moon, Ridley Scott's upcoming Napolean, and Hayao Miyazaki with The Boy and the Heron. Can't wait to watch their competition at the Oscars.
I don't think Leonardo DiCaprio has performed an "uglier" role than Ernest Burkhart --- even his Calvin Candie in Django Unchained is bestowed some maniacal comicality. Physically, Ernest is stout, stained-teethed, and always frowning like a wrinkled pumpkin, prompting me to wonder if his actor is seriously the same guy who played Jack in Titanic. What makes Ernest truly loathsome is his character: avaricious, spineless, frequently imprudent, and often foolish. Most disgustingly, he is faithless --- hinted at start by him not attending churches despite being Catholic --- when promised profit and protection Ernest abides by his uncle's game, yet when regret overwhelms after the death of his daughter he immediately chooses to testify against Hale. Ernest represents the banality of evil during the Indian persecution; unlike Hale who masks his guile and malice beneath the complexion, Ernest is simply incompetent. What more could be said about a man who claims to love his wife while feeding her poison daily!
Lily Gladstone will most definitely be nominated in the next Oscar for her role as Mollie. Throughout the first act, the lady is demure, well-dressed, graceful, but shrewd, observant, and aloof --- her trait is almost the perfect epitome of the Indian culture. It is for these fascinating qualities that make her schemed fall so tragic, into becoming bereft, fragile, sickened, disheveled, and vomiting one's heart out on the sweat-soaked deathbed. The Native Americans made only one mistake that was fatal in their fight against the intruders: for being too quiet, for being too patient, for being too kind.
What an exciting year for cinema! Nolan's got his Oppenheimer, Scorsese with Killers of the Flower Moon, Ridley Scott's upcoming Napolean, and Hayao Miyazaki with The Boy and the Heron. Can't wait to watch their competition at the Oscars.