Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

THREE BILLBOARDS (2017)

Don’t be put off by the unnecessarily annoying title. This is a beauty of a film and right up my street. Some subtle performances, some big. A smattering of sentimentality, and a handful of brutality. A lot of humour on a dark subject.

Dealing with a mother following the tragic loss of her daughter it’s a case study of “life goes on”. She still has to work, still has to maintain relationships, still cracks jokes. There’s a lot of hype over Frances McDormand’s performance. I think she’s typically good, typically ballsy, typically natural but I think all the love is coming from the character being so likeable and confrontational. The opposite can be said of Sam Rockwell. Great performance, utterly horrid character. Even when he technically “redeems” himself I personally don’t think he should be let off the hook so easily. He and his mother are what’s wrong with the world. Woody Harrelson is lovely but he’s robbed someone of a nomination (ahem, Armie Hammer). Also there’s a really great couple of scenes with Tyrion Lannister. Love the ending too!

8 Ebbing, Missouri Thumbs Up!