A masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (21 March 2018)

Martin McDonaugh once again shows that he has such a fresh voice, and an incredible talent for writing and directing. Like in his previous two films, McDonaugh tackles really heavy subjects in a darkly comical way, but the humor and the drama never get in the way of each other. One moment you are gut-busting laughing about a really offensive remark that one person just made, only to feel tears well up the very next moment, because the joke has led to something profoundly beautiful and sincere. It is this balance, and the utterly unpredictable turn of events that transpire in every act of the story, what makes Three Billboards a true masterpiece. Fans of the director will see several themes (midgets, anyone?) as well as actors from previous efforts return, and they are all worthy of all the praise they have been getting. Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson should all be winning awards this season, but especially that truly bold and original script, which insists on being wildly offensive to people of every gender and every race, but at the same time never seems to really judge or call out anyone in particular, is something every screenwriter should aspire to make one day. Every single moving piece in this film has a point and purpose, and there is barely a thing that does not work. It is one of my favorites in years; this is the very reason I love film. Do not watch a trailer or read anything else about its contents, just go in blind and make up your own mind. You will never see anything quite like it.