Best film i've watched in a while

Rating: 9/10 (24 September 2018)

A gritty, funny, and poignant crime, grieving and redemption story that contains several strong subplots and emotional themes. Superb performance by Frances McDormand, and strong backup from Woody H and Sam R. Some of the script is outstanding, with many quotable lines, (both dialogue and monologues).
With the slightly exaggerated characterisation i thought it might be a Coen bros film, and i learnt afterwards that McDormand is in fact married to one of them.
I'm not sure i learned anything, but several "human condition" themes are explored quite well here in the minor sub-plots: cancer, dying, grieving, anger, domestic violence, passion, unrequited love, discrimination etc. It is an ambitious film in that respect, but i dont think that detracts from the flow of the film at all. In addition its worth noting that the comic bits are genuinely laugh out loud moments, and the poignant parts are proper tearjerkers.
One of my initial responses was that certain plot developments were not fully explained...for example Dixon's apparently sudden about face, and the seeming surprise amongst other characters that Mildred had become a foulmouthed badass. Ive read reviews saying these are plot 'holes'. But in hindsight, i think the director has assumed that we're an intelligent audience who know people can and do change according to extreme events in their lives, and we dont always need to be spoon fed emotional developments with flashbacks or in line by line chronological development. So for example one can assume that Dixon's time in hospital next to his victim was very reflective etc, and that Mildred had always been assertive but the loss of her daughter had taken it to a new level.
The only reason it doesnt get a 10 (gave it 9 as cant do 9.5 lol) for me is the slightly twee "thelma and louise" style ending: I dont mind unresolved endings, but just felt it was slightly formulaic.