"You don't even need a Gun, and you definitely don't need Hate." Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Review

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

2.5/5

Written and Directed by: Martin McDonagh

Rated: R

           "There ain't no God and the whole world's empty," thinks Mildred. Her mind rests on bitterness and her heart's full of hate. She surveys the fruits of her labor, three billboards calling out local Sheriff Willoughby for not solving the case of her daughters' rapist and murderer. Away from this sullen sunset in the center of town, Officer Dixon sits at his desk going on about how he detests people based on their color and sexual orientation, while he finds an underhanded way of removing those billboards. It seems everyone else in this town is doomed to reap their painful harvest of contempt, and they would have if unthinkable tragedy hadn't struck first. We reap what we sow.

           Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a fiery examination on lives engulfed in flames of hate. The film's screenplay depicts this story through the context of an extreme political comedy. Though the film's heavy handed content may dampen the screenplay's jokes and humorous intent, this film does have laughable moments. It is another question as to whether audience members will laugh at this film's jokes or simply shudder in their wake. If this film's first half is a fire burning the town to the ground, then the second half is the characters resolve and desire to regrow their land with tenderness and love. The journey characters progress on in this film is a revelation, and audience members who can stomach this film's first half will find Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri to be a painfully cathartic story about the possibility for rebirth and the rekindling of love.

           What makes Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri stand out from other politically tragic comedies is its extensive cast of well done performances. Frances McDormand stars as Mildred, playing her role as if her character were a pile of smoldering coals that she just cannot help but poke and then release the flames on others. Because this film's beginning features McDormand's character mouthing off against every decent person she encounters, it makes the subtle changes in her voice and tone shine through. This is illustrated best as her character begins to soften her heart and reconsider her actions. Aside from McDormand's knockout performance, McDonagh's film contains other alright performances, such as Woody Harrelson as the kind hearted Sheriff Willoughby, Lucas Hedges as Mildred's plagued son, Zeljko Ivanek as the stuck up Desk Sargent and Caleb Landry Jones as the pretentious Red Welby. Beyond these performers, most audiences will agree that Sam Rockwell's performance as the dumbfounded and single minded Officer Dixon is the highlight of this film. He first illustrates his characters' inner struggle and heart at first by bottling up his resentment, then he unleashes his rage, he slowly learns about love and finishes his story with an apologetic soul and desire for revival.

           Though this film's story and its characters make this film a bit of a toss up as to whether audience members would like and appreciate it, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri has some definite short comings in its more technical aspects. The film's editing is somewhat of a mess, as the connections between scenes is unclear, until about halfway through a scene. The cinematography is lackluster, as most shots forgo the importance of framing characters and scenery in favor of overblown color correction. Most of the time this film's use of color does not add to the film's experience. In addition to this the film's sound design is below average. There are moments where dialogue is muffled and some moments where it is just audible. Though this may make some audience members feel Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is not a worthwhile experience, other audience members may be able to look past this film's shortcomings and appreciate this film's sense of humor, decently crafted story and cathartic characters.

Verdict: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is an alright political comedy with good performances, but it offers a polarizing experience that has the power to deter or engage.