PODCAST:The Book Review
TITLE:'Killers of the Flower Moon': Book and Movie Discussion
DATE:2024-02-02 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The podcast episode from the New York Times Book Review, hosted by Gilbert Cruz and featuring A.O. Scott, discusses both the book "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann and its film adaptation directed by Martin Scorsese. The conversation delves into the historical context of the Osage murders in Oklahoma during the early 20th century, the book's structure, and the differences in emphasis between the book and the movie.
David Grann's book, which was published in 2017, sheds light on the series of murders targeting members of the Osage tribe, who had become exceedingly wealthy due to oil reserves found on their land. The narrative is divided into three parts: the initial description of the murders, the investigation led by the then newly formed FBI, and Grann's personal journey uncovering the depth of the tragedy, suggesting the actual number of victims could be significantly higher than officially recorded.
The film adaptation, while maintaining the book's core story, shifts its focus predominantly to the first part, exploring the familial and emotional dimensions through the characters played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone. The movie portrays the complicity of white Americans in the exploitation and murder of the Osage people, emphasizing themes of guilt and moral ambiguity.
A.O. Scott brings his unique perspective as a film critic to the discussion, highlighting how the film adaptation's change in focus from a broader historical and investigative narrative to a more intimate portrayal of betrayal and tragedy impacts the storytelling. The podcast also touches on Scorsese's directorial choices, the performances of the leading actors, and the film's thematic resonance with broader American history and Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans and the West.
This episode offers a nuanced examination of how "Killers of the Flower Moon" as both a book and a film contributes to our understanding of a dark chapter in American history, the complexities of adaptation, and the enduring power of storytelling in shaping historical memory.
