Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon: Epic Western with All-Star Cast
Martin Scorsese's highly anticipated film, Killers of the Flower Moon, is set to premiere in October Based on true events, the epic Western stars an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and John Lithgow Early reactions have praised the film as a masterpiece and a thrilling cinematic experience not to be missed
The initial feedback for Killers of the Flower Moon is in and the verdict is overwhelmingly positive. The movie, directed by the renowned Martin Scorsese, is scheduled to open in limited theaters on October 6, followed by a wider release on October 20. This epic Western is based on real-life events that occurred in 1920s Oklahoma, where oil was discovered on tribal land and a series of murders took place. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone, Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow, and Robert De Niro, who has been a long-time collaborator of the director since Mean Streets in 1973.
Today, critics and media personalities have been given the opportunity to share their spoiler-free early reactions to Killers of the Flower Moon. Following its premiere at Cannes, which took place earlier today, the film is receiving rave reviews online. Critics are calling it "a magnificent epic" and placing it "among top tier Martin Scorsese" films. Below are a few select early reactions and excerpts from full written reviews.
In justifying the lengthy runtime of the film, Scorsese, along with DP Rodrigo Prieto, take the audience on a mesmerizing journey through the oil-rich community of Oklahoma, capturing its essence through street races, downtown parades, and even showcasing King's cattle burning in his fields. The inclusion of picnics and powwows offers more than just production value, but rather a sense of time and place that truly immerses the viewer in this incredible story.
Ernest Burkhart's character in the sepia-toned biographical drama is a slow-poisoned tale of self-denial that is sustained by the exceptional performance of Leonardo DiCaprio. Despite previously portraying low-lifes and scum-bums, DiCaprio's portrayal of the cretinous Burkhart is nuanced and uncompromising, showcasing the actor's long-standing lack of vanity.
The master filmmaker behind this vast tale has truly outdone himself, working at the top of his game despite many others retiring at his age. Clocking in at a length of 3 1/2 hours, the filmmaker and his longtime editor, Thelma Schoonmaker, waste no time in immersing the audience in a truly epic experience, all in service to the story. Despite its length, I never once found myself checking the time. It's a testament to the filmmaker's skill and dedication to keeping cinema alive, even at the age of 80. This film serves as a powerful reminder of why he's considered a master of the craft.
In the script of "Killers of the Flower Moon" co-authored by the legendary Martin Scorsese and Eric Roth, we can see the classic Scorsese crime narrative set in the prairies. The phenomenal performance by Robert De Niro as a wise guy is peppered with darkly amusing moments of anger. However, what sets this movie apart from most of Scorsese's works is the shift towards historical Americana which adds a soulfulness to the material. It is safe to say that "Killers of the Flower Moon" continues Scorsese's career-long hot streak.
Initial reactions to Killers of the Flower Moon suggest that Martin Scorsese is on a roll. If the buzz surrounding this film continues to build throughout awards season, Scorsese could be looking at another wave of Oscar nominations, much like he did for his last feature, The Irishman. With its true story element and lengthy runtime of over three hours, Killers of the Flower Moon feels like a spiritual successor to Scorsese's previous film, which bodes well for its success.
Although Scorsese's last two films share similarities, they are both a testament to his long-standing career of achievements. Scorsese has directed an impressive total of 42 feature films, and out of all of them, only two (Boxcar Bertha and New York, New York) have received negative ratings on review aggregator service Rotten Tomatoes.
The reactions to the upcoming film are truly remarkable, despite their inevitability. It's no small feat to maintain a streak of well-liked films for almost 45 years. This, combined with the early buzz and the epic trailer for "Killers of the Flower Moon" that was released earlier this week, sets the stage for a cinema event that should not be missed.
Source: Various (see above)
