Martin Scorsese is probably at that point in his career where anything he makes will be considered a masterpiece. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t mean that in a dismissive way. Marty has been making films since the 1960s and I don’t think anyone has mastered the art as well as him. “Killers of the Flower Moon” is further proof of his expertise, but probably not one that will be considered “upper echelon” Scorsese. Not quite the tour de force I was hoping for, but certainly one of the best films of the year.
So if you’re not sure whether or not you want to see « Killers of the Flower Moon, » here are 3 big things you should consider:
1. Sit down and get comfortable
If you’re not sure if you want to see « Killers of the Flower Moon », there is one important thing I need to disclose:
The film lasts almost three and a half hours.
Granted, I have no problem with a movie being longer than three hours as long as it’s good, but if you want to see it all in one place (which is recommended), you’ll need to plan ahead . Maybe start early (I ended up at a screening at 11am) and have a cup of coffee?
The good news is that once again, Martin Scorsese has made a long film that really doesn’t seem that long. That’s the power of great storytelling. Even though « Killers of the Flower Moon » isn’t in my top 5 Marty films, it in no way feels like a chore to watch.
2. I was definitely invested, but not obligated
If I had to rate my interest in the story here, it would be a resounding “meh.” Be aware, however, that « meh » really comes in comparison to other Martin Scorsese films, not just this story in a vacuum. Martin Scorsese is my favorite filmmaker… there’s no doubt about it. So, for the sake of honesty, while watching « Killers of the Flower Moon », I must admit that I felt less drawn to this story than to « Goodfellas » or « The Irishman ».
This is certainly not to say that this film is boring or uninspired. The three and a half hours passed in a flash. I found myself very invested and ultimately left satisfied and informed.
3. Leo is at his best, De Niro still has it, and Marty is the GOAT
“Killers of the Flower Moon” is quite an accomplishment for these frequent collaborators. This is also the first time that DiCaprio, De Niro and Scorsese have worked together on the same film. The know-how is perceptible. This is Leo’s best role since « The Revenant » and will likely put him in the Best Actor race. Robert De Niro easily adapts to his role, but at the same time it seems a little different from his typical roles.
Martin Scorsese, particularly in these later years of his career, shows that he has an eye for the medium that is second to none. To tackle a film of this scale and have such mastery of its storytelling is a testament to its GOAT character.
VERDICT
Even with all my praise, I’m not sure I can say that « Killers of the Flower Moon » is high-end Scorsese. This is, however, a high-end film from 2023. While it can be a little confusing at times, the story, performances, and pacing are all near-perfect. This may only be for the most avid movie buffs, but it’s a great reminder that Martin Scorsese is the best to ever be behind a camera.
4/5 Swedish fish
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