3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

2017’s “3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri“, written and directed by Martin McDonagh.

Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Lucas Hedges, Caleb Landry Jones, Clarke Peters, Peter Dinklage, John Hawkes, and Sandy Martin.

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actress (Frances McDormand), Best Supporting Actor (Sam Rockwell), Best Supporting Actor (Woody Harrelson), Best Original Score (Carter Burwell), Best Original Screenplay (Martin McDonagh), and Best Film Editing (John Gregory).

 

 

What is it about?

“3 Billboards…” is about a woman (an amazing Frances McDormand) in a small town who’s daughter was raped and murdered 7 months previous. Frustrated at the local law enforcement (Lead by a wonderful Woody Harrelson, and featuring a dynamic Sam Rockwell)’s lack of progress, she pays for 3 billboards that openly question Harrelson’s results. The billboards certainly have an effect, as they trigger the small town’s characters into a chain of dramatic events that speak to the capacity of anger, hope, and forgiveness. Will McDormand and her family be able to see justice done for the daughter’s death?

Why is it worth seeing?

“3 Billboards…” is a very intimate look into the characters who inhabit a small town, where everybody knows each other’s business and aren’t afraid to share their opinions. The theatrical experience of writer/director Martin McDonagh very much comes through, but make no mistake, this is no play masquerading as a film. It’s characters are alive, with several performances of the year present. Through the heart, and the hatred, also comes through a thick web of humour. It really says something that a drama with such dark subject matter could be so funny at times, and McDonagh juggles the tones expertly.

While the movie is very funny at times, McDormand’s character takes no prisoners. Grimly demanding justice and not being afraid to leave any stone unturned, she even alienates her family members, including her son (Lucas Hedges, solid again after “Manchester by the Sea”) and ex-husband (John Hawkes, who needs more work) in her quest. When a character, who would like her to take the billboards down, lets her know that he also has cancer, she informs him that they’ll be more effective after he croaks. Equally as persistent, is the Sam Rockwell character, who’s Sheriff is initially almost cartoonish in his ignorance and hate- who then believes that he could be a better person. Harrelson is great too, as a character who realizes giving up may just be the recipe for wellness the town so desperately needs.

While it’s vulnerable characters and propensity for the strength of hope are inspiring, there are a few false notes, such as a rant against the Catholic church that seems to break character and betray the writer/director’s worse impulses. And sometimes the small setting morphs into something resembling too convenient to be believed. However, the movie’s perfectly timed ambiguous ending more than make up for mere quibbles.

“3 Billboards…”’ strength of fantastic performances, filtered through messages of hope overcoming hatred, as well as the power of forgiveness, make it one of 2017’s strongest films. Go watch it with your mother (warning: some See You Next Tuesdays are present).

Rating:

4/5

Trailer: Click Here.