Best Film Of 2017?

Rating: 8/10 (15 April 2018)

Let me start off by quickly addressing the "controversy" brought on after the film's release and Golden Globe wins. The first one of people being upset that Peter Dinklage's character is continuously referred to as a "midget". Take a second to realize the film takes place in the clearly racially divided South; do you really think they would be politically correct? The second one being Sam Rockwell's character being a racist cop who finds redemption. It is a movie for Christ sakes! Why does everyone have to be a social justice warrior! Just enjoy the experience or don't watch it at all. This could go into a much longer rant, but I'll save it for another time; now on to the review.
Three Billboards... is the best film of the year in my opinion and deserves all the hardware it is receiving from award shows. The film is loosely based on a true story, but goes off trail in order to get more creative. The film centers around Frances McDormand's Mildred; a vengeful Mother who is pissed off with the small town police department because there has yet to be any arrests in her daughter's murder and takes matters into her own hands. That is already an interesting enough plot, but this film has a bit of every genre from comedy to suspense to drama all while keeping you captivated. I have to say, I'm a serial clock-glancer; always wondering how far into a movie or show I am, but with this film I didn't look once. Luckily if you've seen the trailer, that didn't scratch the surface of the story's arch; leaving you pleasantly surprised.
Three stories are told in this film, all involving people struggling with their past, present and future respectively; Mildred with her past, Dixon (Sam Rockwell) with his present and Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) with his future. I like how the story doesn't paint this black and white story and doesn't pit Harrelson's and McDormand's character against her with the force of good vs. evil. You find yourself sympathizing with both of them; leading to such powerful, emotional conclusions that will make you feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster. The only bad thing I can say about this film is that damn CGI deer! What is with bad CGI this year?
Sam Rockwell has been one of my favourite actors for a long-time now; in my opinion he is one of the most talented performers alive. I think back to his performance in the Green Mile and wonder how he didn't manage to get an Oscar then, but this might finally be his year. In a film surrounded by acting powerhouses, he shines. Brilliantly portrayed, his character's story arch is one of the best and most satisfying ones I've ever seen in film - something you generally only see in television. Francis McDormand continues to demonstrate why she is a top tier actress and let's not forget about Woody Harrelson. Harrelson doesn't get much praise for this role, but he brings heart to a character we're meant to despise by the start of the film. Willoughby's final scene is gut-wrenching, yet beautiful and was the scene that stood out to me most.
Three Billboards... will go down as one of the best films Hollywood has to offer. I haven't seen a critically acclaimed film in the past few years that I enjoyed this much and therefore I'm giving this an "A+". If you're not watching any other film this year, make it this one; you won't regret it!