…..outside Ebbing, Missouri, of course. I know, I know, I have no idea where that is either, however, 3 Billboards is a Movie about billboards, what they say, and who put them up and why, just outside a small town in Missouri: Ebbing. A place I wouldn’t necessarily be thrilled to go, but since I’ve never been there, doesn’t matter.
Examining grief, frustration, guilt, anger, and vigilantism, 3 Billboards is the tale of a single woman incensed with the perceived snail-paced failure and ineptitude of local law enforcement to bring swift justice for the rape and murder of her teenage daughter. They have no suspects and no arrests seven months after the fact, and Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) decides to spur the Sheriff (Woody Harrelson) into action.
Sound heavy? An anchor? An anvil? A half ton Ram truck? It is! However, despite the weight of the subject matter, the foul language and violence, it’s probably one of the most noteworthy movies I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this year simply because of the redemptive story line, the superb acting and cast, and the remarkable soundtrack, which I’ve already ordered.
Why is this movie so significant as an Oscar contender? Primarily because of Frances McDormand’s fiery, feisty, spunky, hard-ass portrayal of Mildred Hayes, which evokes lots of laughter and Sam Rockwell’s deliriously delicious Deputy Dixon who also gets his share of giggles and gasps. Both actors have won a well-deserved Oscar nod, as well as the surprisingly warm, foul-mouthed family-man, Woody Harrelson as the beloved Sheriff Willoughby.
The plot escalates when snarky Mildred sells her ex-husbands tractor trailer to purchase the ad on the 3 formerly unused billboards on a lonely road near her house and begs the question on a Red Background in Capital Letters: “Why have there been No Arrests in Angel’s murder Sheriff Willoughby?”
The town’s people are infuriated with Mildred for accusing their beloved Sheriff of not doing his job. And when the Sheriff himself contacts Mildred to cajole her into taking down the billboards, he sites that he is doing the very best he can with the investigation, that there’s no DNA evidence and he’s at an impasse. And besides, he confidentially confides in her, “I have cancer” to which Mildred replies, “I know, everybody knows.” Of course, she doesn’t budge about the billboards and they remain standing.
There is a sudden, shocking event involving Sheriff Willoughby which prompts all hell to break loose in Ebbing: people flying out of second story windows, fire bombings and fire in general light up this dark humored account of loss, rage and indignation, not to mention cancer, suicide, rape and murder.
After all that, how can I possibly like this movie? How can anyone? Well, the fact is that the writer/director Martin McDonaugh has done a brilliant job of intertwining the right balance of humor, dark and lite, delivering raw emotion, and evoking perfect performances from accomplished and seasoned actors like McDormand and Harrelson. And McDonaugh sends Sam Rockwell’s Deputy Dixon into obit around Super Stardom Status, which is so well deserved for his whacky, violent, endearing hot and cold character. And after meeting his Mom, you’ll know where he gets that “colorful” character. How could you NOT like it?
Then, of course, my Favorite Lannister and recent Doritos icon make an unexpected although all to brief appearance in the movie, and you’ve got a Winner on your hands. When a movie has the redemptive and rewarding conclusion that 3 Billboards does, you’ll walk out of the theater having been thoroughly entertained and in a good, satisfying humor for the rest of the night. Although you still man not, like me, want to visit Ebbing, Missouri any time soon. No offence, Ebbing, please don’t throw me out a window! *To buy or Not to buy: BUY
