Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Martin McDonagh, 20th Century Fox, MA 115 Minutes.
In what must be one of the best movies made over the past few years comes British director Martin McDonough’s compelling dark comedy drama of a distraught mother seeking punishment of the person responsible for murdering her daughter.
This is the backdrop to Mildred Hayes’ (Frances McDormand – ‘Fargo’) sudden resolve to renting three billboards outside her town of Ebbing to highlight her revulsion with the police authorities’ failure to catching the felon guilty of her daughter’s rape.
After waiting for more than six months and with no arrest pending Mildred becomes so enraged that she arranges for the billboards promoting her cause to read “And Still No Arrests,” “How Come Chief Willoughby?” and “Raped While Dying”.
The billboards have an immediate effect embarrassing an exasperated but respected Sheriff Willoughby (Woody Harrelson – ‘The Hunger Games’) in particular riling his hot-tempered deputy, Dixon (Sam Rockwell – ‘Seven Psychopaths’) hell-bent on having them all removed.
Besides angering the local townsfolk including son Robbie (Lucas Hedges – ‘Mid90s’) and ex-husband Charlie (John Hawkes – ‘Everest’) Mildred must also contend with the local priest whom she offends in an explosive scene that is quite memorable in many ways.
The highly-charged drama reaches a climax when Willoughby the family man with a wife (Aussie Abbie Cornish – ‘Solace’) and two little girls reveals he has terminal cancer leaving Mildred the prospect of having to deal with a disturbed Dixon.
As pressure builds on Mildred to remove the billboards now that Willoughby has departed-and without revealing much more-a change occurs in the relationship between herself and Dixon in the pursuit of the murderer in a surprising turn of events.
The enjoyment derived from this enthralling production is due in large part to an engaging script from ‘Seven Psychopaths’ director McDonough, a stimulating storyline and a great ensemble cast.
In addition to Harrelson’s convincing depiction as the town’s Sheriff, there is McDormand’s powerhouse performance in the resolute role of the retribution-seeking mother and Rockwell’s impulsive portrayal as the Deputy-with both McDormand and Rockwell contributing to the unpredictable conclusion.
It therefore comes as no surprise that McDonough’s thought-provoking movie won the 2017 Golden Globe for Best Picture as well as Oscars being awarded to McDormand for Best Actress and Rockwell for Best Supporting Actor.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri is televised on Channel 7flix at 8.30pm Saturday 8 August
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
