REVIEW: KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

4/5

The Wolves Of Osage County. 

206 Mins. Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, Sturgill Simpson, Pete Yorn, Charlie Musselwhite, Jack White, Brendan Fraser & John Lithgow. Director: Martin Scorsese. In: Theatres. On: Apple TV. 

Blooming with cinematic beauty and storytelling brutality, Martin Scorsese's tenth film in 50 years with De Niro, 'Killers Of The Flower Moon', brings together two of his biggest and best collaborators like 'The Audition' of a short film for Studio City casino with Brad Pitt. Once upon a time in Hollywood, Marty gave us a 'Taxi Driver' on the 'Mean Streets' of 'New York, New York' with Bobby coming in like a 'Raging Bull'. 'The King Of Comedy'. A guy you'd like. A 'Goodfella'. 'Cape Fear' and 'Casino' also racked up the classics with 'The Irishman' (Scorsese's last big score) and 'The Godfather' of acting. With Leo, DiCaprio and Scorsese gave us 'Gangs Of New York', before taking flight at 'The Aviator'. 'The Departed' and 'Shutter Island' took us deeper and darker with the 'Titanic', 'Romeo +Juliet', 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'Inception' actor. All before 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' blew everything off the unhinged door in all its white noise. Now the perfect pair of these director and actor one two punches with Martin Scorsese join formidable forces like they did when Leo was just a kid in the abusive 'This Boy's Life'. Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro have barely been better too. As the classic conflictions of DiCaprio's characters reach new perplexing and profound peaks. Whilst those who worry the legend that is De Niro might be spreading himself too thin, need to know that he is in his chairman of the board, Sinatra season. Like his work with David O. Russell. And who better to do this with than the 'Hugo' who is making the great American film book?

Can you find the wolves in this picture? Because this modern masterpiece from not one, not two, but three of this generation's greats is no children's story of history. This epic revisionist Western crime drama co-wrote with Eric Roth is based on David Grann's book of the same name. Taking to task the Oklahoma, Osage Nation murders that reached epidemic, barely footnote documented levels when the black gold of oil was discovered on tribal land in the 1920s. Like the history of Christians being massacred in Japan in the 17th century, the 'Silence' director provides a voice to those who should have lived a life of affluence, instead of being raped and pillaged in the same land that belongs to them. But this is America. And the theme time radio hour like final curtain hides much more nuance and hidden meanings. Featuring White Stripe Jack White getting his acting on like fellow great singer/songwriter of our time Pete Yorn and an also almost unrecognizable blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. All for a movie that plays like spot the musician for the record. 

Scored sublimely by the late, great Robbie Robertson in tribute to the leader of The Band who made this his last waltz before he passed. Scorsese directed The Band's documentary, just like he did The Rolling Stones' 'Shine A Light'. And what better way to bring out a movie of the year then on the same day The Stones smash their way back onto the record charts with 'Hackney Diamonds'. 'Killers' like Brandon Flowers also features the always great Jesse Plemons, Sturgill Simpson (making major moves in Japan this week with this and the release of 'The Creator') and the legendary Tantoo Cardinal. Not to mention 'The Whale' Best Actor Brendan Fraser and the legendary John Lithgow going head-to-head in the courtroom drama of the final act of the 'Flower Moon'. Scorsese, DiCaprio, De Niro. This big-three is made fantastic like four with 'Certain Women' Lily Gladstone. Anyone who thinks this show stealer made a mistake entering her name into the Best Actress race instead of the lesser category needs to be more supporting. Especially when they see her collapse on the stairs in screams. Finally, justice can be served in this piece of historical storytelling which we must all investigate. Even at a crippling 206 minutes. Scorsese rewrote 'Killers Of The Flower' when he realized he was writing DiCaprio as Jesse Plemons character with too much white saviour tropes. Instead, his revised movie moment of legend tells the true story that deserves to be told. By exactly those who need to do the telling. TIM. DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Irishman', 'Gangs Of New York', 'Silence'.