Brendan Fraser's Oscar-Worthy 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Performance: A Divisive Masterstroke

 

Brendan Fraser's Oscar-Worthy 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Performance: A Divisive Masterstroke

In the midst of Martin Scorsese's gripping epic, "Killers of the Flower Moon," Brendan Fraser's acting has caused a storm of debate within the film community. Some argue that his portrayal in the movie is so scene-stealing that he should return his Oscar, while others see it as a stroke of genius.

"Killers of the Flower Moon" is an intense and unflinching portrayal of real-life crimes perpetrated against the Osage Nation in the 1920s. Scorsese forces the audience to confront the greed and wickedness of those who murdered Osage leaders for their oil wealth. The film offers no easy resolution, but it boasts outstanding craftsmanship, a superb ensemble cast, and an abundance of brilliant acting.

Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio deliver career-defining performances as the diabolical William Hale and his subservient nephew, Ernest. Indigenous actors, such as Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, and Tatanka Means, also shine. Not to mention the exceptional character-actor performances by the likes of Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Louis Cancelmi. Tying the entire ensemble together is Lily Gladstone, whose nuanced and empathetic portrayal adds a layer of depth to the film.

And then, there's Brendan Fraser.

Fraser, the beloved Canadian actor and newly minted Oscar winner, plays W.S. Hamilton, William Hale's cunning attorney. In just seven minutes of screen time, he dominates the scenes with a thick Southern accent that oscillates between Foghorn Leghorn and a Coachella-bound antebellum lawyer seeking acid. His sudden outbursts, including the memorable exclamation "dumb boy!" might even have viewers mimicking his eccentric delivery. Fraser's physicality is equally attention-grabbing, with his expressive face suggesting a man who accidentally swallowed a frog but is trying to play it cool.

In a Scorsese film, where the serious often collides with the absurd, Fraser's presence can be jarring. Hamilton is not a mere comic relief character; he significantly influences the plot by intimidating Ernest into altering his testimony. Reaction to Fraser's performance on social media ranged from gleeful comparisons to the Kool-Aid Man to tongue-in-cheek suggestions that he be edited out by the acclaimed editor Thelma Schoonmaker.

However, there are defenders of Fraser's performance who argue that he "understood the assignment." Taking Scorsese's history and the context of the film into account, this perspective holds merit. "Killers of the Flower Moon" repeatedly underscores how America's institutions were designed to safeguard white settlers at the expense of the indigenous population. The legal system, as depicted in the film, becomes a farcical arena for pompous men in suits to manipulate the narrative in their favor.

Hamilton and Fraser's performance represent this ideal: he may be comically bombastic, but he nearly secures the freedom of a criminal mastermind because he operates within a system rigged in his favor. This portrayal aligns with the movie's core message.

Even if one disagrees with the thematic appropriateness of Fraser's performance, it's challenging to be too critical. Watching a talented actor go all out, even if it doesn't entirely mesh with the film's tone, is a rare pleasure in modern Hollywood. Most unconventional performances are confined to supporting roles, making Fraser's bold portrayal in "Killers of the Flower Moon" a refreshing deviation from the norm. So, whether you consider it genius or excessive, Fraser's performance is undoubtedly a memorable one.