Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

7/10

Starring

Francis McDormand

Sam Rockwell

Woody Harrelson

Written and Directed by Martin McDonagh

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is one of those movies you’ll appreciate more for its screenplay and story. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the idea came to him while driving and seeing billboards about unsolved murders. His fictional take on this concept hits home well enough for me to enjoy.

His version features a mother who has waited seven months for the police to come up with something—anything—on her daughter’s case. Her daughter was raped, killed, and burned to death. The mother is tortured by what happened, especially because of the last words they exchanged and their strained relationship. To add to her pain, her husband left her for a nineteen-year-old. Their marriage wasn’t rosy—he used to beat her when they were together.

Her struggles aren’t getting any better at home with her son, whom she feels disconnected from, and a life she believes has nothing left to offer. She decides to ensure her daughter’s killer is found and makes sure the police don’t forget to do their job. She rents three abandoned billboards near her home, which read in sequence: "RAPED WHILE DYING," "AND STILL NO ARRESTS?", and "HOW COME, CHIEF WILLOUGHBY?"

This, of course, changes things for her. The town now hates her, and even the police department isn’t keen on getting involved. The police chief, Willoughby (Woody Harrelson), isn’t doing well himself, as he struggles with his own pain, which leads to a tragic turn of events.

This dramatic tragedy strikes hard on many themes. Its comedic moments are well-placed, especially with Sam Rockwell’s character, Officer Jason Dixon. He transitions from being a comedic, racist, homophobic, angry, and childish character to a more mature and informed one. This growth isn’t limited to his character alone—it’s also seen in Mildred Hayes, the mother of the murdered child, played by Frances McDormand, and throughout the entire movie.

This well-written movie seems to grow right before our eyes, leaving us to witness more mature and impactful scenes from the two lead characters, Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell.

At the 75th Golden Globe Awards, the film won Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actress – Drama (Frances McDormand), Best Supporting Actor (Sam Rockwell), and Best Screenplay. It also earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Frances McDormand), and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for both Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.