Matt at the Movies: Cramer's Court
Matt at the Movies: Cramer's Court
Killers of the Flower Moon and Anatomy of a Fall are both must-see movies.
Join Us in Cramer’s Court:
First, set the mood by listening to the greatest courtroom theme of all time …
Then, familiarize yourself with the countless courtroom cliches in legal dramas …
“They’re leading the witness, Your Honor.”
“Tread lightly…”
“I’m holding you in contempt!”
“You’re on thin ice, counselor.”
… and what has to be the most satisfying line for an actor to deliver in the courtroom …
Courtrooms provide a perfect setting for dramatic scenes on stage or in film. TV shows have gone on for decades - looking at you Law & Order - using the judicial system to tell stories and showcase performances. Courts have it all - compelling opening statements, fiery cross examinations, and emotional closing arguments smoothly delivered by both cocky young lawyers trying to take on the “system” and grizzled, disillusioned prosecutors. The drama crescendos through jury deliberations the thrilling decision rendered by an often colorful mix of humanity. The resolution -or lack thereof - often reflects the director or writer's vision of justice.
My wife has the Dave Grusin piano score from The Firm living rent-free in her ears from the countless times I’ve taken afternoon naps to John Grisham adaptations. I live for this genre as it gives screenwriters room to cook with biting, rewatchable dialogue. As each of this review’s films unfold, the courtroom plays a pivotal role in how we view the morality and humanity of the main characters. While the burden of proof lies on the plaintiff to convict, a great courtroom drama can often leave the audience pondering the decision on their drive home.
Both of today’s films appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, with Anatomy of a Fall bringing home the coveted Palme d’Or. Along with fellow contender Oppenheimer, the films feature extensive courtroom settings, questioning scenes, and hard hitting depositions. Killers of the Flower Moon is surely going to pick up acting, screenplay, set design, and costume nods at the Academy Awards. It is a solid bet also that both will be nominated for Best Picture.
Can arguably the greatest living director (Martin Scorsese) add a second Best Director award to his resume alongside his lifelong muse (Robert De Niro) for supporting their tenth and possibly final collaboration? (Marty and Leo are at 6).
Will a family murder film set in the French Alps, snubbed for Best International Feature by the French Centre national de la cinématographie, be nominated for Best Picture?
Both movies are currently playing at the Independent Picture House. Let’s dive into a double feature that rivals Barbenheimer in terms of both quality and entertainment that must be viewed on the big screen.
Review: Killers of the Flower Moon
In a Nutshell
We are transported to 1920’s Oklahoma and the Osage Indian Reservation. What was thought to be the bland grazing land to settle Native Americans after the Trail of Tears had serendipitously bequeathed a limitless reservoir of black gold to the displaced peoples.
The Osage had mineral rights to their land and the money flowed through the bloodline whether it be through inheritance or marriage, called headrights, to be paid out in quarterly dividends. Indigenous Americans, many of whom chose to forgo much of their cultural heritage to adopt settler Christian ways of life, now had unimaginable wealth. Per capita, it was the richest area in the entire nation. Their people had chauffeurs, beautiful cars, crisp Stetson hats, fancy big city dresses, jewelry, and all the finer things offered from the western world - albeit to the chagrin of their white neighbors. Lurking as hawks, many white prospectors, schemers, and opportunists flooded their land to get a piece of the pie from the newly-formed oil economy.
As the story begins, murder is plaguing the tribe as full-blood community members are picked off one at a time with no investigations or convictions. Numbers officially ran from from twenty-five to sixty from the 1921-1926 “reign of terror” with dozens more unaccounted for. It’s no surprise the Black Wall Street Massacre of 1921 in Tulsa is pointed to multiple times as a reference point for these systemic actions.
Here enters Leo DiCaprio’s morally questionable character Ernest Burkhart. He’s fresh from World War I, and traveling to live on his uncle’s (“King” William Hale) ranch. King is the unofficial mayor of the town and long time respected associate of the tribe. Hale, played by Robert De Niro, is a calculated and menacing power broker between the Osage and oil tycoons. He sees his young nephew as another string to be pulled to garner wealth, oil rights via sham marriages, and continue the long history of the United States' sins against America’s first peoples.
Time is money, why should I go?
Do we need extra reasons to head to theaters to watch a Scorsese/De Niro/DiCaprio classic? Yes, it’s three and a half hours, but this epic is gripping from the beginning scene to the surprising narrative choice ending. You get amazing performances from “that guy” actors you’ve seen that fit perfectly into the feel of the 1920’s setting.
When the film moves to the courtroom we are introduced to many high profile actors that play bit parts to perfection. We even get musicians Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson with some meaty scenes that feel like they’ve been acting their whole careers.
They often say Hollywood doesn’t make movies like this anymore and they are right. See this on the big screen and let Marty wash over you one more time with this beautiful and chilling tale.
The Breakdown
Spill the Tea
This film is based on the 2017 non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. Scorsese - in what the 81-year-old says will be one of his final films - is also one of the main screenwriters.
There were multiple script rewrites to shift the main story narrative. While the book focuses on the creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the film is concentrated on the native Kyle family. As they are targeted in truly upsetting ways, the Osage tribe turns to Washington D.C., the Coolidge administration, and a newly created bureau to expose this massive conspiracy.
Star of the Show:
When we are introduced to the Osage, we see a dark cloud over their people. An unexplained sickness or “wasting away” plagues many of its members. Alcoholism, sickness, and depression have arrived.
Mollie Kyle, played by Lily Gladstone, is the eldest daughter who looks after her sick mother Lizzie. Her sister Minnie also is afflicted with the same condition. Gladstone plays a reserved and confident woman who is courted by DiCaprio’s Ernest. She maintains a strong connection to her people and is key to bringing the Bureau of Investigation to investigate these murders all while battling life threatening diabetes herself.
Her performance is gripping as she watches her family and people exploited by the swindlers surrounding their everyday life. As the murders and story move forward, she must deal with the wolves at the door vying to take out her family. The pain she goes through and endures is a beautiful albeit sad contrast to the evil King Hale. She surely should be nominated for this nuanced role where she is the lynchpin between the storylines of her native people and their white neighbors.
Don’t Sleep On
The set design of the town makes us feel like we are in the moment. Production design legend Jack Fisk makes pool halls, barber shops, and Masonic temples feel lived in. The thoroughfare of Fairfax, Oklahoma is filled with roughnecks, beggars, and scoundrels that make you feel like you’re living in 1870’s Deadwood, South Dakota instead of the Roaring Twenties.
Mix this setting with the primal marching drums and western guitar rhythms from Robbie Robertson’s score and you’re transported to the moment. Scorsese has never skimped on creating a “vibe,” and you can see how his reported 200 million dollar budget from Apple TV+ was spent. Expect multiple Oscar nominations and wins from the technical categories for this epic masterpiece.
Best Ten Minute Stretch:
As the movie opens we hear the loud beat of traditional drums and songs from the Osage people as we learn the background of their recent history. In traditional Scorsese fashion, he provides fast jump cuts of the tribe, long tracking shots of the town, and pure energy that blasts us into the action.
When Ernest Burkhart arrives at King Hale’s ranch they have a family sit down to discuss the cultural, political, and economic landscape dealing with the native tribe. King’s slick tongued speech feels like an interrogation as he feels out how he can use his nephew as a tool in the quest for power. This sequence of events is thrilling and unnerving, both of which are hallmarks of Scorsese’s style.
Oscar Bait Rating (out of 5):
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Matt at the Movies Score - 9.5
Highly Recommend - a truly great epic that beats you down at every turn.
Review: Anatomy of a Fall
In a Nutshell
German author Sandra and her French husband Samuel live in a quiet chalet with their blind, adolescent son Daniel. When Daniel and his dog return from a walk through the vibrant setting of the Alps, he finds his father dead, having fallen from their third story attic while Sandra was asleep. Facts, myths, theories, and gray area testimony lead to a full courtroom procedural that leaves as many questions as answers.
Time Is Money, Why Should I Go?
If you are a fan of murder mysteries and puzzles, you will thoroughly enjoy this film. Think more of John Grisham than say Agatha Christie in terms of how the storyline plays out. The acting by son Daniel (Milo Machado Graner) and specifically Sandra (Sandra Hüller) are spectacular and well-deserving of accolades.
Spill the Tea:
Writer/Director Justine Triet talked at Cannes about how she specifically designed the role for Hüller saying, “...she has something about her - she's opaque, she's complex and that nourished the actual writing of the script.” There are very few expository flashbacks, aside from one pivotal scene in the third act; but no one interview, testimony, or conversation ever truly explains on its own what happened to Samuel.
We also see a French court play out from opening statements, engaging testimony, and tête-à-tête dialogue that is as realistic as anything I’ve seen in the past several years. It was fascinating to see the French Judicial system in action for the first time. Cross examinations include the defendant in real time with their testimony and a faster, more dramatic nature than here in the United States. There is a smooth flowing nature with the judge and lawyers that makes more for conversation (sometimes quite sarcastic), which was very enjoyable to watch.
Star of the Show
Sandra Hüller loves her child while still owning a no-nonsense, pragmatic nature. The contrast between the German actress and her husband’s more fiery French personality creates intense chemistry. One could judge her cold and calculating nature as guilt, or accept it as an accurate look into her true personality.
Her performance is on full display not only in the film, but also on the early Oscar press circuit. She is not on SAG-AFTRA gag orders with their current labor strike and the longer she is out there, the more I feel her chances to secure a Best Actress nomination will gain steam. She deserves it.
Don’t Sleep On
Sandra’s lawyer Victor (Swann Arlaund) knows her from a past life and agrees to be her representation. He doesn’t care if she did it or not, though it seems he does believe her. He is a clever, by-the-book lawyer who methodically breaks down the case to support his client as the trial plays out. He is admirable, charming, and steadfast in his support for Sandra throughout the story, even as allies seem to be in short supply.
Best Ten Minute Stretch:
Husband Samuel secretly tapes an argument the two had one day prior to his death that lays out the insecurities, infidelity, and realities of raising their blind adolescent child all while trying to have a sense of self in the world. This testimony is our only flashback of the failed marriage and really gives the viewer something to think about before the final jury deliberation.
Oscar Bait Rating (out of 5):
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Possibility for Oscar nominations in Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, and potentially Best Picture at this year's Academy Awards.
Matt at the Movies Score: 9/10
Highly Recommended