With ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’, Martin Scorsese (‘Raging Bull’) is responsible for a gigantic American epic that not only impresses with its visual power, but also features fantastic actors. Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro have serious chances of winning an Oscar next year. But that probably doesn’t apply to Brendan Fraser, who appears in the final third of the film.
While the three stars mentioned in ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ manage to win over the audience with endearing subtlety, Fraser as the dubious lawyer WS Hamilton almost clumsily thunders through the film. With a broad Southern accent and stormy roar, the Oscar-winning actor for “The Whale” captures everyone’s attention, even beyond his commanding appearance. As a viewer you wonder why Martin Scorsese allowed such an elevated performance in his otherwise subdued film.
However, the answer is very simple: as always, it’s all about the effect. Just as it does something to the audience when a government official, played by Jesse Plemons, suddenly knocks on Ernest Burkhart’s (DiCaprio) door after two hours, Brendan Fraser’s light-hearted cock performance also does something to the audience after three hours of being presented with the best . character play. Because Fraser is a corner lawyer who is completely dependent on his looks and appeal.
Yes, there’s no doubt that Brendan Fraser stands out in an unpleasant way in Killers Of The Flower Moon. But his game has a method and follows a strategy of irritation to show that the court is no longer about ensuring public order, but rather about intimidation, manipulation and deceit. Fraser’s thunderous WS Hamilton makes this very clear in just over five minutes of screen time – even if his acting really makes you shake your head.