THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBINGS MISSOURI

DARK, ADULT FILM

Film Review by FIORE

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE OF EBBING, MISSOURI is probably one of the more unwieldy titles given to a serious, big studio film.  You will pardon me, dear reader, if I reference the film only as THREE BILLBOARDS from this juncture forward.

Title aside, THREE BILLBOARDS is a good movie, crafted for adults.  Its humor is exceptionally dark, and occasionally borders on the psychotic. It’s the type of film that will make you laugh, and simultaneously feel bad for laughing at the subject matter.

I was first introduced to Writer/Director Martin McDonagh in 2012 with the release of SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS.  I thought the movie was deliciously evil.  McDonagh incorporates half the cast of SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS in THREE BILLBOARDS.  While Willem Dafoe and Christopher Walken are gone, Francis McDormand is added.  Look for her, and especially co-star Sam Rockwell to earn acting accolades at year’s end.

Seven months ago, Mildred’s daughter was raped and murdered.  The police have no suspects.  Mildred, chagrined over the lack of results, leases three billboards just outside of town, bringing shame to the local sheriff and keeping the wounds of the crime in the forefront of the small community.

Woody Harrelson is solid as Sheriff Willoughby.  His performance serves as the glue adhering all the other characters.  Caleb Landry Jones (another of the dreaded three name people) is Red, the upstart who heads the town’s advertising agency.  Rounding out the cast are:  Kerry Condon; Abbie Cornish; and Darrell Brit-Gibson.

On the technical side, Ben Davis provides his best cinematography when the billboards are the subject matter.  He utilizes low-angle, cant and extreme close-ups to provide character qualities to the signs.  Carter Burwell and Jon Gregory provide yeoman duty on the score and editing, respectively, though the film does slow a tad before the concluding reel.

THREE BILLBOARDS is a fun movie, even though the theme is morose.  Solid acting, and a strong script with exceptional dialogue combine to make this one of Hollywood’s stronger offerings this year.