Friday, October 13, 2023

'Killers of the Flower Moon' - Love Crosses Paths with Greed in Martin Scorsese's Multilayered Epic About the Osage

In the 20th century, oil brought wealth to the tribe of the Osage who's considered as some of the richest community in the world overnight. These Native Americans instantly attracted the whites who exploited, manipulated, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to a massacre.

Based on a true story and told through the fascinating romance between Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), Killers of the Flower Moon is an epic western crime film, where love crosses paths with greed. A deadly sin disturbingly portrayed by Robert de Niro as a greedy cattle farm owner, William Hale, who considers himself an ally of the Osage despite his cruel intentions.

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures PH

Killers of the Flower Moon is a harrowing story about the deaths of the Osage tribe, but the power dynamics between Burkhart and his uncle, and Burkhart's love story with Mollie, are also what keeps it chillingly fascinating. It is in a way a character study of how humans are blinded by greed, and how love blinds wisdom. Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro are a powerhouse of a trio. All acted their soul off with DiCaprio showing certain mannerisms that's reminiscent of Marlon Brando in The Godfather.

Martin Scorsese on the other hand has proven to be a solid storyteller from time to time, but he's got some new tricks up his sleeve on how he started and ended this 3-hour saga in a way that feels proper on how to tell a harrowing story about a tribe he doesn't belong to. He's playful, he's risky, but his usual simple and straightforward storytelling make this a breeze to watch.

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Killers of the Flower Moon opens in cinemas nationwide, October 18. 

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