Brilliant, dark, and hilarious

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2018)

This film follows the story of dedicated mother Mildred who longs to find the rapist and murderer of her daughter after police chief Willoughby discontinues the search. She purchases three billboards to bring the towns attention to the unfinished case. The witty, belligerent, cold-hearted woman you meet in the trailer is truly what you get, though Frances Mcdormand is not the only star of the show. Sam Rockwell (Dixon), Woody Harrelson (Chief Willoughby), and Caleb Landry Jones (Red) are not far behind. Already sporting some nice golden globes, I see Oscar noms (and possibly wins) in the near future for some of these roles. Needless to say, this was so unexpectedly good! I did enjoy Martin McDonagh's "Seven Psychopaths" but not nearly as much as I enjoyed "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri". This movie includes the same cold, dark humor, quick twists and unexpected turns but in a much more impactful way. "Three Billboards..." hits on both the abuse of authority in America and human and civil rights. It even does so in a way that doesn't smack you in the face so you can still enjoy the film and the story it tells.