A Theatrical Light Shed on Oklahoma’s History: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Photo courtesy of Britannica ImageQuest
Ellington Dorr, Arts/Entertainment Editor
Killers of the Flower Moon, directed and co-written by Martin Scorcese, is the newly released film adaptation of David Grann's book of the same title. The author himself is a journalist and a staff writer for the New Yorker. His story depicts the real attempts of genocide against the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, during the 1920s.
Robert De Niro, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Lily Gladstone star in the 3 hour and 26 minute long movie. Scorcese explores the history of the Osage Nation within the start of the film. At the time, and for decades before, the Osage Nation was one of the richest communities not only the country, but the world. This was due to the Osage land having access to massive quantities of oil, giving the people of the nation the highly profitable land. William Hale, a white rancher and businessman played by De Niro, presents himself as a close acquaintance and friend to the Osage tribe. He knows the ins and outs of the rights of the land, as well as the royalties which come with it. The story then introduces a new character, Leonardo Dicaprio in the role of Hale's young nephew, Ernest Burkhart.
Ernest falls in love with a member of the Osage Nation, Mollie Burkhart (Lily Gladstone), and the elder Hale sees great opportunity in this relationship. Mollie is a sister to three other girls, and her mother is her only living parent. In addition, the plot follows Mollie’s own smaller, more personal storyline, which covers her struggle with diabetes. She and Ernest's relationship progresses, and as it does, Mollie's family slowly begins dying one by one. All of her sisters exceptare married to white men who are close with William Hale. As each of Mollie's sisters die, the viewers of the film can see Hale's whole plan of appropriating the Osage nation unfolding, both before their own eyes, and Ernest's.
The pattern of deaths continues,until Hale arrives at Mollie's last living sister, where he goes as far as to blow up the woman's entire home. Around a similar point in the timeline of events, Hale, a rich man with connections, produces a so-called miracle medicine, which would treat diabetes. Though Mollie is hesitant, she agrees to try the medicine out, convinced by Ernest’s confidence in the medicine. Despite the medicine as time goes on, Mollie does not overcome her illness, and her overall health worsens. She is left with no family except for her young children and her husband Ernest.
In the midst of it all, through her declining health and in hopes of ending all the madness, Mollie is determined to come to a conclusion over the matters of the suspicious deaths which had occurred in the Osage Nation. She goes as far as to travel to Washington to inform the government herself. The investigation proceeds, and federal agents arrest Hale and Ernest. . The film then details the complex trial of the two men and other included witnesses.
Though Hale’s betrayal is evident within the movie’s plot, the storyline still shows how Mollie and Ernest were in love, no matter what. The film demonstrates how unjust historical actions were upon the Native people of America, in what became a predominantly white country. The story is moving in the way that it touches on multiple emotional levels, showing fear, love, and hatred, all in an intimate light. Alongside the love story, the film truly expresses the horrors which occurred within the time period of the 1920’s, and the overall perspective of a white man during the period as well.
The movie was shot in various cities in Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa, but a sizable portion was filmed in Pawhuska. The light which the film shed on Oklahoma's history was inspiring, and the manner in which the movie was made was excellent. The commitment to scenery, the writing, and the costumes truly portrayed the story beautifully. If anyone is looking for a thoroughly enjoyable movie with an important story behind it and amazing acting, Killers of the Flower Moon should be next on your watchlist.
