ollie_hws

Scorsese delivers yet another triumph of cinema with a masterful depiction of an intense, emotional and critical time in American history.

After hearing that Killers of the Flower Moon was first screened at Cannes film festival back in May of this year, I immediately bought the book (By David Grann) upon which it is based; and I was absolutely hooked.

The key difference between the narrative, non-fiction work by Grann, and Scorsese's western epic, is that the lead character changes from Tom White (Jesse Plemons) to Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio). This was a hugely positive decision, as the events that unfolded in Osage county in the 1920s entirely revolved around Ernest and his immediate/in-law family.

Arguably the most notable aspect of this films is its monster runtime, standing at 3 hours and 26 minutes (almost half an hour longer than Oppenheimer). However, due to the magnitude of the situation, and sheer emotional struggle presented by our main characters, the time is unbelievably well used and practically flies by.

Predicting the Oscars is always difficult, but with Killers of the Flower Moon, I can certainly say that DiCaprio and Gladstone will be nominated. DiCaprio spectacularly shines as Earnest, giving a breathtaking portrayal of a vulnerable, yet dominant man, who's way in over his head.

Gladstone truly brings Mollie's grief to life, from her usually serious disposition, to her intense emotional outbursts over the killings, and her agonising illness, an Oscar really ought to come her way.

Having been familiar with the story beforehand, I was eager to see my imagined concepts of the landscape, characters, and scenes themselves come to life. And everything from the casting choices, to the filming locations, to the vivid depictions of the murders themselves was perfection. DeNiro in particular is distinctively villainous as William Hale, in his consistent manipulation of Earnest, the members of the Osage, and the Bureau of investigation.

In short, Killers of the Flower Moon is a profound, poignant and powerful saga that is arguably the best film of the year.

After walking into the cinema and sitting down, you start to wonder "How on earth is this film going to be 3 hours long? Surely he builds the bomb, they test it, and then the film ends?". However, as the minutes tick by and the plot develops, you become fully engrossed in Oppenheimer's quest for destructive discovery.

The casting choices are beyond perfect, Cillian Murphy is impeccable in the titular role, and has clearly practised making purely petrified faces in order to do so. Matt Damon is flawless as ever, Emily Blunt is particularly impressive as Kitty Oppenheimer, and Robert Downey Jr. Gives perhaps the best performance of his career. Smaller roles and various cameos also occur throughout the film, such as Florence Pugh, Casey Affleck, Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek.

Another remarkable feature of this film is the nonlinear narrative. Jumping between Robert's time as a student, as a professor, at Los Alamos, and at a vital security hearing. And, through all of this, managing to show several smaller narratives, such as his relationship with Jean Tatlock, or his complications with communism.

If Oppenheimer leaves one lasting impact on cinema, it's that Christopher Nolan can turn anything into a brilliantly engaging and thrilling cinematic experience.