Apple Original Movies
Could Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese pick up their second Oscar with Robert DeNiro in line for a possible third?
Whether Lily Gladstone decides to campaign for lead actress or supporting (and there is a case for both), a spot in the lineup will be reserved for her. That’s because her powerfully complex role in Apple Original Films’ “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday night, is too good to ignore.
Gladstone delivers an unsettling portrayal as Molly, an indigenous woman whose family and Aboriginal community are being murdered at the hands of a sinister group of white men, driven by greed and a thirst for power. He is a formidable force.
About 10 minutes into Martin Scorsese’s epic adaptation of David Grann’s 2017 non-fiction book “Killer of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” it became clear that the audience in attendance was in for the birth of a star. were the witnesses of
The film tells the tragic true story of members of the Osage tribe who were murdered under mysterious circumstances during the 1920s. The events sparked a major investigation that led J.J. Under the direction of Edgar Hoover, the FBI was born.
At the center is Gladstone’s Molly, along with her husband Ernest (played by a remarkable Leonardo DiCaprio) and her Uncle “King” (played by a visceral Robert DeNiro in his best performance in over a decade).
When it comes to Gladstone, 36, the truth is she’s already showcased a remarkable range of impressive body of work. Some of them include 2013’s “Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of the Plains Indians” and 2020’s “First Cow”. In fact, I believe she should have already been the recipient of an Oscar statuette for supporting actress for her remarkable turn in Kelly Reichardt’s multi-story 2016 drama “Some Women.”
Indigenous representation in the Academy (and Hollywood) has been virtually non-existent throughout the history of cinema. Imagining a supporting actress is in the cards for her (that’s where pundits get involved Diversity Tracking Her), she will be only the second Indigenous actress to be nominated in the category, following Jocelyn Lagarde for 1966’s “Hawaii”. It’s too late (and maybe the first winner?)
“Assassins of the Flower Moon”
Apple
When it comes to Scorsese’s frequent collaborators – DiCaprio and De Niro – expect to see them in the mix for another trip around the awards circuit.
DiCaprio, best actor winner for “The Revenant,” has never played a character so bizarre. An actor branch favorite, if he were to be overlooked, it could be because of the real-life character he portrays, which could turn off voters. It will have nothing to do with quality.
The same goes for DeNiro, in his most terrifying turn since 1991’s “Cape Feare,” who chews up the scenery with a villain. He is a two-time winner for “Raging Bull” (1980) and “The Godfather Part II” (1974). Like Ralph Fiennes’ eponymous turn as a Nazi commander in “Schindler’s List,” there is such a thing as being “too bad” for voters.
Jesse Plemons, who plays Agent Tom White, is a major character in the book. He takes a substantial backseat in the story, however, and doesn’t have much screen time to pop (unless Academy voters fall over themselves with the nomination). The Oscar-nominated actor from “The Power of the Dog” doesn’t appear on screen until nearly two and a half hours into the story. Last year’s Best Actor winner Brendan Fraser is only in the last 20 minutes.
Scorsese’s shot at his second Oscar for directing—after 2006’s Best Picture winner “The Departed”—has increased substantially. At age 80, the autistic filmmaker, along with co-writer Eric Roth, approach difficult subject matter with grace. That would put them on the table for what is already looking like a jam-packed adapted screenplay race (coming after “Zone of Interest”).
Rodrigo Prieto will be eyeing his first win for cinematography after coming up short for “Brokeback Mountain”, “Silence” and “The Irishman”.
Three-time winner and editing legend Thelma Schoonmaker will be an interesting piece of the awards puzzle to watch closely. Based on the early responses, those who liked the film were also vocal about its strong runtime. She may be a “guilty figure” if that becomes a growing consensus. For the time being, I think the film only works because of its epic scope, demanding the viewer to witness the regressive horror of both the physical and cultural carnage that took place 500 years after Christopher Columbus stole America from its rightful inhabitants. Still happening after many years.
Best Picture would be a viable option for the streamer. The biggest hurdle will be to keep the buzz and noise going for the next 10 grueling months.
Whatever the outcome, Gladstone can (and should) at least carry the Oscar torch for this impeccably moving motion picture.