Review of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) by John G — 19 Jan 2018

Three billboards outside Ebbing Missouri is a compelling, sombre yet at times funny drama/black comedy from writer and director Martin McDonagh. The story revolves around Mildred Hayes who is disillusioned with the local police forceâ??s attempts to track down her daughterâ??s killers. She rents 3 billboards where her daughterâ??s body was found to provoke the police into action.

Firstly letâ??s start with the cast; Mildred who is played by Francis Mcdormand is a power house. She plays a very real believable character who takes you on this journey. All moments of real gravitas or levity are centred through Mildred so anything less than a stellar performance could sink this story. Francis â??performance is the centrepiece (rightly so) of this impressive indie film and cards on the table I believe she will win best actress at the Oscars in a few weeks. Sam Rockwell once again picks clever indie films and at times and at times steals most of the scenes he is in. He plays the sometimes deplorable Jason Dixon and at times ignorant police officer. What McDonagh and Rockwell managed to take this character on a journey from irredeemable to someone your almost feel for. Woody Harrelson gives a real heartfelt performance and is one of his better roles from recent memory. The rest of the supporting cast including peter Dinklage are also on form here.

Martin McDonagh ultimately has written and directed beautifully one of my favourite films of 2018 and we are in January!! The story is simply gripping and it never goes into too much detail about Mildredâ??s daughters demise which I feel is a clever move. This film feels like there is no real resolution, no finish with a tidy bow on top which grounds this in reality and plays out exactly how this film needed too.

To conclude Three Billboards is a film that has real heart that will make you laugh , cry and everything in-between.