Ty, this is a great review. Actually, the very very end of the movie is something else that takes us beyond the scene you mentioned. I feel compelled to say that if you ever cross paths with the people who think that THE IRISHMAN is a “bad movie,” tell them to watch it again: that’s just factually wrong.
I loved the book, love Scorsese, and I love Ty Burr's reviews. I'm so glad to be able to read your reviews! I'm going to see this movie ASAP. I'm depressed that Marvel has invaded theaters and there are not many movies worth seeing any more. I went to a reading by Russell Banks years ago and asked which other books will be adapted- Affliction and The Sweet Hereafter were great. None, he said. All the best movies are long form TV now. Hollywood isn't interested in that kind of movie any more. Banks was almost right- glad this movie could still get green lighted. Sadly, I'm more interested in watching True Detective One or Call My Agent or Broadchurch, etc than most of the dreck in theaters. Now and then there are great exceptions- thanks for pointing them out!
I am having trouble waiting for the movie on Apple. I never have disagreed with a critic as vehemently as I do with one who terms the Irishman a bad movie. It is not even borderline.
I so want to watch this film in a good theater. The scope is too big to watch it on a computer screen. However ... I hope I have a chance to do so. I don't want to wait.
Love your reviews and your clear thinking and arguments.
There are reviews that make you want to run, not walk to the theater...this is one ...I have the book on my bedside--will read tonight before I run full throttle to the theater...Thx for this.
Excellent review, appreciate your touches in the cinematography and production design. I read the book and have eagerly awaited the release of this film--I have tickets for this weekend! I don’t agree with all the casting since the real people in the book were younger (like Hale) but it’s “Marty’s” movie so he knows best. I’ve read the FBI investigation isn’t covered as fully as it in the book and we all know the film is exceptionally long. But, I will see it no matter what because no other nonfiction book captured my attention like Killers. I can’t wait to see it!
Saw Killers last night. An epic masterpiece. This review is a very accurate take. I'll have my own review soon, of course, but I'll say one thing. Oh, boy, it was very difficult for me, as 57-year old reservation-raised Indian, to watch. The 1960s and 70s treatment of us reservation Natives hadn't improved from the 1920s. We were still hunted in literal and figurative ways.
Saw "Killers of the Flower Moon" last night and slept on it before commenting. Scorsese deserves the adulation he is once again receiving, but the film does not. It is a good effort, but nothing in it--with the possible exception of Lily Gladstone's affecting and entirely convincing performance--is great. I am not saying that there isn't a story worth 200-minutes of screen time here, but Scorsese squanders far too many of those minutes. There must be ten scenes in which we see Hale (De Niro) bend the spineless Burkhart (DiCaprio) to his will. Some of these encounters grind on to the point where they begin to feel like acting class exercises.
This bagginess is a hallmark of Scorsese's later work (though it's a recessive gene--rewatch "New York, New York"). Watching these scenes unfold (and unfold, and unfold), I can hear Scorsese's explanation: this is his method, to work closely with his actors to explore the material. There are many wonders to watching a veteran artist at work. Scorsese is still capable to taking our breath away with a deft stylistic coup. But there are also pitfalls to getting old, and one of them is that we begin to rely too heavily and too readily on "our methods."
There is a price to giving over so much screen time to dramatic rumination. I found it odd that Scorsese paid relatively little attention to the ultimate, dark prize lurking at the heart of the story's many nesting dolls. The major American oil companies played a central role in motivating--if not orchestrating--the crimes explored here. Apart from giving short shrift to the geopolitical context for the narrative, Scorsese unaccountably leaves some great cinematic material on the cutting room floor. One of the most colorful passages in David Grann's book (the basis for the film) is an account of the oil rights auctions that took place regularly in Osage country. The big oil companies would send agents to these auctions--many flying in for the event--to offer millions (in pre-war dollars) for drilling rights. That's a scene I would have liked to see.
Such a compelling review of the complex film. I haven't read the book yet (but will!), and I found the history fascinating and appalling. I did feel the film could have been shortened (though The Irishman is even more repetitious). I also found myself battling with the small-scale changes in Ernest--I wanted him to wake up to Hale's evil sooner, though I get why he's so easily manipulated. It's an interesting role for DiCaprio in its lack of heroism and his character's struggle with his feelings for Molly, even as he poisons her. (Odie H made a great observation on the parallels to Hitchcock's Suspicion.)
All I can say is: WOW! Superb. I thought maybe best new film I've seen in years. My but was sore from sitting so long, but I was never not fully swept up in the story. The acting, especially DeNiro and Gladstone. Everything about it seemed to fit into place, the look the town, the costumes, the music, the various town characters, and Oklahoma itself...AND I GOT TO SEE IT at the Embassy theater in Waltham, a place that I really like and just reopened (with only two screens though). Sadly: i was the ONE AND ONLY person in that theater for an 8PM show (full knowing that I was getting ups t 5:45 next morning)....but it was worth it. But do go to the Embassy if you can: I want it to last.
Great book and review. I liked your mention of the Florida menace!
Ty, this is a great review. Actually, the very very end of the movie is something else that takes us beyond the scene you mentioned. I feel compelled to say that if you ever cross paths with the people who think that THE IRISHMAN is a “bad movie,” tell them to watch it again: that’s just factually wrong.
Thanks Kent -- The kind words mean a great deal coming from you. Feel free to expound on the very very end if you'd like. There have been some good pieces on the film's final moments, from Sam Adams (https://slate.com/culture/2023/10/killers-of-the-flower-moon-movie-ending-martin-scorsese.html) and Alissa Wilkinson (https://www.vox.com/culture/23924295/killers-flower-moon-ending-explain-scorsese).
I loved the book, love Scorsese, and I love Ty Burr's reviews. I'm so glad to be able to read your reviews! I'm going to see this movie ASAP. I'm depressed that Marvel has invaded theaters and there are not many movies worth seeing any more. I went to a reading by Russell Banks years ago and asked which other books will be adapted- Affliction and The Sweet Hereafter were great. None, he said. All the best movies are long form TV now. Hollywood isn't interested in that kind of movie any more. Banks was almost right- glad this movie could still get green lighted. Sadly, I'm more interested in watching True Detective One or Call My Agent or Broadchurch, etc than most of the dreck in theaters. Now and then there are great exceptions- thanks for pointing them out!
I am having trouble waiting for the movie on Apple. I never have disagreed with a critic as vehemently as I do with one who terms the Irishman a bad movie. It is not even borderline.
Bravo! Beautifully written essay.
I so want to watch this film in a good theater. The scope is too big to watch it on a computer screen. However ... I hope I have a chance to do so. I don't want to wait.
Love your reviews and your clear thinking and arguments.
Lord have mercy. Fabulous review, and typical Ty Burr -- deeply thoughtful, massively erudite. Loved your use of descant.
There are reviews that make you want to run, not walk to the theater...this is one ...I have the book on my bedside--will read tonight before I run full throttle to the theater...Thx for this.
Excellent review, appreciate your touches in the cinematography and production design. I read the book and have eagerly awaited the release of this film--I have tickets for this weekend! I don’t agree with all the casting since the real people in the book were younger (like Hale) but it’s “Marty’s” movie so he knows best. I’ve read the FBI investigation isn’t covered as fully as it in the book and we all know the film is exceptionally long. But, I will see it no matter what because no other nonfiction book captured my attention like Killers. I can’t wait to see it!
By the way for your readers who may have missed this, the NYT wrote an article on Jack Fisk, the production designer. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/magazine/jack-fisk-movie-sets.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Ty, killer writing-a great piece! Thanks for sharing this and for the work-so much appreciated.
Saw Killers last night. An epic masterpiece. This review is a very accurate take. I'll have my own review soon, of course, but I'll say one thing. Oh, boy, it was very difficult for me, as 57-year old reservation-raised Indian, to watch. The 1960s and 70s treatment of us reservation Natives hadn't improved from the 1920s. We were still hunted in literal and figurative ways.
Looking forward to your review! And, folks, if you haven't subscribed to Sherman's newsletter, you should: https://substack.com/@shermanalexie.
Thanks!
Saw "Killers of the Flower Moon" last night and slept on it before commenting. Scorsese deserves the adulation he is once again receiving, but the film does not. It is a good effort, but nothing in it--with the possible exception of Lily Gladstone's affecting and entirely convincing performance--is great. I am not saying that there isn't a story worth 200-minutes of screen time here, but Scorsese squanders far too many of those minutes. There must be ten scenes in which we see Hale (De Niro) bend the spineless Burkhart (DiCaprio) to his will. Some of these encounters grind on to the point where they begin to feel like acting class exercises.
This bagginess is a hallmark of Scorsese's later work (though it's a recessive gene--rewatch "New York, New York"). Watching these scenes unfold (and unfold, and unfold), I can hear Scorsese's explanation: this is his method, to work closely with his actors to explore the material. There are many wonders to watching a veteran artist at work. Scorsese is still capable to taking our breath away with a deft stylistic coup. But there are also pitfalls to getting old, and one of them is that we begin to rely too heavily and too readily on "our methods."
There is a price to giving over so much screen time to dramatic rumination. I found it odd that Scorsese paid relatively little attention to the ultimate, dark prize lurking at the heart of the story's many nesting dolls. The major American oil companies played a central role in motivating--if not orchestrating--the crimes explored here. Apart from giving short shrift to the geopolitical context for the narrative, Scorsese unaccountably leaves some great cinematic material on the cutting room floor. One of the most colorful passages in David Grann's book (the basis for the film) is an account of the oil rights auctions that took place regularly in Osage country. The big oil companies would send agents to these auctions--many flying in for the event--to offer millions (in pre-war dollars) for drilling rights. That's a scene I would have liked to see.
Thanks! I will see the Scorsese film next week. Your comments are always valuable & helpful!
Such a compelling review of the complex film. I haven't read the book yet (but will!), and I found the history fascinating and appalling. I did feel the film could have been shortened (though The Irishman is even more repetitious). I also found myself battling with the small-scale changes in Ernest--I wanted him to wake up to Hale's evil sooner, though I get why he's so easily manipulated. It's an interesting role for DiCaprio in its lack of heroism and his character's struggle with his feelings for Molly, even as he poisons her. (Odie H made a great observation on the parallels to Hitchcock's Suspicion.)
All I can say is: WOW! Superb. I thought maybe best new film I've seen in years. My but was sore from sitting so long, but I was never not fully swept up in the story. The acting, especially DeNiro and Gladstone. Everything about it seemed to fit into place, the look the town, the costumes, the music, the various town characters, and Oklahoma itself...AND I GOT TO SEE IT at the Embassy theater in Waltham, a place that I really like and just reopened (with only two screens though). Sadly: i was the ONE AND ONLY person in that theater for an 8PM show (full knowing that I was getting ups t 5:45 next morning)....but it was worth it. But do go to the Embassy if you can: I want it to last.