Trio of red hoardings with effing

Rating: 9/10 (20 January 2018)

You are warned at the beginning about the bad language and violence in this film. The language makes for a very realistic portrayal of small town life in the back of beyond. The violence will take you by surprise, even when you correctly predict what is about to happen. This is quite a feat and worthy of credit for the achievement. McDormand provides a thoughtfully expressed depiction of the kind of disenchanted, sad, mad and determined woman the murder victim's mother could likely be in such a real life situation like her character's. She nails it throughout, never missing a beat. There are amusing interludes sprinkled throughout...and completely necessary to keep us believing the story. It is indeed an interesting story but it does terminate a couple of scenes too early. Mildred does not realise she is going to confront the man who threatened her in her shop, her ex police dept buddy doesn't know she's met the man he suspects is involved in murdering Mildred's daughter. We don't get to see either. I expect a sequel at the very least!