“Some people have to pee”: Killers of the Flower Moon Editors Calls Theatres Adding Intermission to 3.5 Hours Long Movie a ‘Violation’, Gets Trolled
Based on David Grann’s 2017 novel of the same name, Martin Scorsese’s epic Western crime thriller Killers of the Flower Moon, stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, and others, with a screenplay co-written by Eric Roth. The film, which is reportedly 3.5 hours long, is dedicated to Robbie Roberston, who composed the soundtrack for it before his death.
Killers of the Flower Moon is the eleventh collaboration between director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro, and the sixth between the director and Leonardo DiCaprio. Following its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, the film garnered favorable reviews from both critics and viewers. The film was made available in theatres on October 20th and will be released on Apple TV+ soon. Editor Thelma Schoonmaker has some thoughts to share about a 3.5-hour 3.5-hour-long movie premiering at the theatres. Let’s find out.
Killers of the Flower Moon editor Thelma Schoonmaker says theatres are violating the movie contract
Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, etc., is 3.5 hours long and currently playing in theatres. It has caught the Academy Award-winning editor Thelma Schoonmaker’s eye, as some movie theatres have inserted an intermission into the screening of the movie.
During an interview with The Standard, the editor said,
“I understand that somebody’s running it with an intermission which is not right. That’s a violation so I have to find out about it.”
Thelma Schoonmaker has been associated with filmmaker Martin Scorsese since his movie Raging Bull came out in 1980, but according to Variety, selected theatres did share on Twitter that they would be inserting a six-eight-minute intermission to the 3.5-hour-long movie.
However, some of these selected theatres have been contacted by the company, who believe that the theatres have violated their contract by splitting the movie and are now asking them to show the movie as it was always intended.
Also read: Leonardo DiCaprio’s Sassy Attitude Toward His Mother Won Over the Crowd During His Oprah Interview
Fans react to Thelma Schoonmaker’s comments on ‘violation of the movie’
The audience members who had to sit through the 3.5-hour-long movie with no intermission took to their Twitter accounts to share their opinions on whether adding an intermission seemed like a violation or not.
A user tweeted, “I don’t feel the need to go but some people have to pee.” Whereas someone else added, “Intermission in a 2 hour play is fine. Intermission in a 3.5 hour film is…not?”
I don't feel the need to go but some people have to pee.
— All things Zack Snyder (@SnyderUpdates) October 27, 2023
intermission in a 2 hour play is fine. intermission in a 3.5 hour film is…not?
— John Draisey (@JohnDraisey) October 27, 2023
I agree with her but I also hope we aren’t trending towards movies bringing 3+ hours as a standard. It seems like it’s starting to be a common occurrence and I’m not sure I’m into it.
— Priscilla Reiss (@_PriscillaReiss) October 27, 2023
A user who called the situation interesting added, “This is interesting. Call me the old man that I am, but I’d rather there be an intermission so I can sh*t and not miss any of the movie I paid 20 bucks for.” Someone tweeted, “Bro that intermission is VERY welcome if you know what I mean.”
https://twitter.com/senorfern/status/1718012895827481059
This is interesting
Call me the old man that I am but I'd rather there be an intermission so I can sh*t and not miss any of the movie I paid 20 bucks for
— Logan Basketball (@LoganMcCuiston2) October 27, 2023
Intermission is fine, nothing against it but it just takes away the excitement and spoils the flow if you know what i mean
— Screen Wizard 🧙♂️ (@screenwizardz) October 27, 2023
A section of the audience online said that it was okay for the theatres to add an intermission since a lot of people tend to use the restroom during the short window break, whereas a section said that it would have been okay if the filmmaker had picked the timing of it. The theatres do not have the right to put an intermission in the middle of the movie, adding that the inclusion of an intermission just takes away the excitement and spoils the flow.
Martin Scorsese defends the runtime for Killers of the Flower Moon
The filmmaker did not directly address the no intermission policy, but in an interview with Hindustan Times, he did address the long runtime of the movie. He said,
“People say it’s three hours, but come on, you can sit in front of the TV and watch something for five hours. Also, there are many people who watch the theater for 3.5 hours. There are real actors on stage, you can’t get up and walk around. You give it that respect. Give cinema some respect.”
He had also noted that the movie should be watched on the big screen as that was the intention with which it was made. Scorsese added that to truly immerse themselves in the movie, the audience members should take some time out and watch it on the big screen without disruptions.
Killers of the Flower Moon is currently playing in theatres.
