Director:Martin McDonagh
Starring:
Frances McDormand (Fargo, Burn After Reading, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day)
Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Iron Man 2, Moon)
Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, The Hunger Games, War for the Planet of the Apes)
Plot:
After the death of her daughter seven months earlier, Mildred Hayes (McDormand) decides to rent three abandoned billboards near her home to advertise the local police's failure to find her daughter's killer to the community. The police create havoc for Mildred to try and intimidate her to take the billboards down.
Verdict:
Seemingly, you need three things to be a Martin McDonagh film;
- a talented cast,
- strong and sudden acts of violence, and
- underlying layer of pitch-black comedy throughout.
Frances McDormand has been an incredible talent since her debut in Blood Simple and starring in nearly all of the Coen Brothers' films has given her ample time to display her incredible range. Mildred Hayes is a more dour and sombre character than usual for McDormand, but she stills brings a deep-seated rage and vindication to the role that makes Mildred a renegade, 'nothing-left-to-lose' character that becomes hard not to root for.
On the other side of the conflict, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell portray Ebbing's police chief and deputy respectively, and both live up to their reputations; Harrelson stoic and methodical, and Rockwell chaotic and foolish. With Mildred's baiting billboards, you'd imagine a rage-fuelled performance from Harrelson similar to his seething portrayal of the General in last year's War For The Planet of the Apes, but instead he takes a backseat to Rockwell who manifests himself as Righteous Justice.
Rockwell embodies the stereotype of a racist, idiotic hick but since he has a police badge and lawful use of a firearm, understandably this results in more than one extreme use of police force. Rockwell's Officer Dixon is often the butt of the film's jokes, but it's not just Dixon's stupidity to blame for the injustice in Ebbing, Missouri.
The film instead focuses on the poisonous impact of hatred and it's pointlessness when trying to grieve or find justice in today's world. Harrelson's Police Chief Willoughby tries to explain this to Dixon throughout the film, with Dixon only becoming what he truly wants to be once he gives up his anger and negative behaviour.
A bit different from two Irish hitmen hiding in a Flemish city. But Three Billboards is equally heavy in moments and tone.
Thankfully though, similar to McDonagh's previous films, In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, there is more than enough humour sprinkled throughout the film to keep the tone balanced from the darker moments. Most of the laughs come from supporting players, such as Peter Dinklage's love-struck neighbour and Samara Weaving's air-head love rival, who both provide subtle and effective performances.
Overall, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri serves well as an effective emotional catharsis. Regardless of who you are angry at, they get their comeuppance in this film.
Police are treated as ineffective.
Racists are treated as idiots.
Smug people get thrown through windows.
It's truly a heartwarming ride. If you'd like to see a realistic portrayal of grief and how people coming together can at least try to overcome it, I'd highly recommend this film.
Rating
8/10
Overall, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri serves well as an effective emotional catharsis. Regardless of who you are angry at, they get their comeuppance in this film.
Police are treated as ineffective.
Racists are treated as idiots.
Smug people get thrown through windows.
It's truly a heartwarming ride. If you'd like to see a realistic portrayal of grief and how people coming together can at least try to overcome it, I'd highly recommend this film.
Rating
8/10
Until next time, thanks for reading!
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