Brilliant, black comedy/drama

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2018)

Anyone who thinks this is an homage (or ripoff) of a Coen Brothers movie is watching the movie very superficially. True, it's a black comedy/drama, starring Francis McDormand, but that's where the comparison begins and ends. Three Billboards has far more in common with the director's own "In Bruges" than any Coen Brothers movies.
This movie challenges you to examine how your initial impression of people can be very wrong. Additionally, it shows that even the most despicable characters can be capable of redemption (or at least a partial redemption). Sam Rockwell is outstanding as a thuggish policeman who is ill equipped to handle the significant events unfolding around his life. Writer/Director Martin McDonough takes Officer Dixon (Rockwell) through some significant life-changing events without relying on a tired redemption arc. Rockwell handles this character development adroitly, and we see why he was a runaway winner for "Best Supporting Actor" at the 2018 Oscars.
Francis McDormand's character Mildred is unrelentingly bitter, but considering the pain her character is enduring, the pain and anger is justified. Woody Harrelson is a standout as embattled Police Chief Willoughby. The relationship between Mildred and Chief Willoughby, like much of the movie, only seems one-dimensional, until we realize there's much more affection between the two than we've been led to believe.