Not too bad but not worth the hype

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2018)

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri would suffice as a nice past time film that is good for a short while but forgettable. This film certainly has its moments and the lazy southern setting has its appeal. The acting is quite good, the cast deliver good performances. A number of people complained about the tone and how loathsome everyone is but that is the theme of this story. It hits the ground running with a blunt but grieving mother wanting some kind of retribution.
While it has its positives it never really crosses the mark into a truly great or captivating film. Something more was needed to get it across the line, whether a surprising twist, conspiracy or revelation of sorts. It never quite gets there and has a number of plot holes, besides the three billboards it lacks symbolism and it never is really resolved in any form. I do not think the viewers have to interpret or 'read into' anything further but the director has left loose ends and incomplete story lines.
This is not a bad film, I could an aspiring film maker winning the top art or film prize at a school or festival. Possibly even the Cannes film festival. However to take home the Oscar for best film would be a stretch. Then again the Oscars have lost credibility when it gave Best Picture to Moonlight last year.