Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri is directed by Martin McDonough and stars Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage, John Hawkes and Clark Peters.
The film follows the mother of a slain young woman who, frustrated with the inaction around the case, harasses the local police to spur them on and solve the case.
I’ve followed films from Martin McDonough for a few years now ever since catching his film “In Bruges” on Netflix. I love his unique style of film making so I was really excited for this film. The story is great and the best thing this about Martin McDonough films is you generally have no idea where the story is gonna go in the first viewing but on second or third views there are great elements of foreshadowing.
Though dark in it’s tone it is not completely dark and dreary. It has surprising wit from both it’s script and it’s characters. The banter between every actor is so on point. The music is really great and is filled with Midwestern tones. The cinematography is also really well done.
I think one of my favorite things is how human all of these characters are. None of them seem artifical and every actor gives raw, honest and truly great performances. Frances McDormand is a force to be reckoned with in this film. She’s driven and fierce and totally deserved her second Oscar award and I find it funny how similar the films she won for are. (Fargo and this film). Woody Harrelson is great as the respected town police chief, despite his small screen time he makes every scene that much better. Clarke Peters and Peter Dinklage are good in their small but important roles. Rounding out the cast is Sam Rockwell as Deputy Jason Dixon. Rockwell is one of my favorite actors and he’s perfect in every role. Rockwell’s character has an amazing arc and I don’t know the racist cop Dixon would have been the same without Rockwell.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a dark, comedic, and surprisingly human masterpiece. I loved each and every minute of it.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri gets a 4.9 out of 5.
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