A Small Town Becomes A Universal Message...Anger Begets Anger...Extraordinary!

Rating: 9/10 (27 December 2017)

It's no stretch to say Three Billboards will be nominated for multiple Academy Awards. Here in one movie there's easily writing/directing, multiple performances, and cinematography that scream Oscar nominations. But, this is no art house or high film school concept piece. It's a grass roots reflection on how hate begets only more hate and how love, forgiveness, and tolerance is the only saving salvation. Yet as heavy as all of this is depicted it never beats the viewer over the head thus watering down that message. Quite the opposite as turns a soul stirring mirror expertly using darkly held prejudices and black comedy to do so.
None of the above could be accomplished first without the superior story telling and directing of Martin McDonagh. He has created a masterpiece of a movie from which the expert casting propels. Previous Oscar nominee Frances McDormand turns in a performance of a lifetime in her portral of an anger-filled Mildred who has lost a teenage daughter to a horrendously brutal rape and murder. She raises the ire of locals and the police force in her small town as she boldly cries for justice. That sets up more hate on the other side which erupts in myriad related as well as unrelated ways. Sam Rockwell as a non-conventional, as well as non-law abiding racist deputy, almost steals McDormand's thunder. These two characters ride an arc of hate that brings them to a place neither could have achieved without the other. Wow! They are musts for awards if the Academy isn't out in left field because they really bring a meaningful story to life. Woody Harrelson is also in top form with a role he plays effortlessly adding to the quality here.
If you see one movie in the next year this is one I think can speak to everyone as well as entertain.