Despite the
long title, ‘Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is anything but a
long-winded movie. It gets straight to
the point which any well-written script should do. Taking its cue from the Coen
Brother’s movies, ‘Three Billboards’ shares many similarities with their
films. It also shares a few of its cast including
Frances McDormand who once again proves to be an excellent performer. It’s always a pleasure watching a finely
crafted film with ‘Three Billboards’ marking its cinematic territory with
confidence.
When her
daughter is brutally murdered, her mother Mildred (Frances McDormand) goes to
pieces. Expecting the police to find the culprit, she patiently waits. After months go by without a result, Mildred
takes matters into her own hands. Painting three huge signs, she directs her
scorn at the local Chief of Police Willoughby (Woody Harrelson). With his second in command Dixon (Sam
Rockwell) on hand, Willoughby tries to placate an irate Mildred. Events escalate between her and the local law
enforcement as the chance to catch her daughter’s killer gradually fades.
‘Three
Billboards’ makes a virtue of its unpredictability. When you think you know how the story will
go, it suddenly takes a sharp turn into the unknown into a more exciting area. That’s the mark of a finely-tuned script,
written by Director Martin McDonagh who also created the great movie ‘In
Bruges’. Not only does he deliver
flawed, interesting characters and crackling dialogue, he effectively creates
an atmosphere of foreboding tension over the small town in which they
reside. Despite surface appearances,
there are no true ‘heroes’ or ‘villains’, just desperate but determined people
facing the consequences of their actions.
The
performances are first rate with McDormand’s tough as nails character running
the gamut of emotions from guilt to rage. Rockwell and others are very solid in
their roles. ‘Three Billboards’ is more
black comedy than serious drama but the performers keep things at an even keel
without resorting to melodramatics. The
use of flashback and switched time-lines maintains interest and successfully
gives the off-kilter feel McDonagh aims for.
‘Three Billboards’ plays with traditional plot narratives and twists
character perceptions making it compelling, enabling it to stand out amongst a
sea of formulaic dross.
Everyone
should be proud to be associated with ‘Three Billboards’ as it has its own
unique story-telling edge. That’s
difficult to do with thousands of stories out there but its’ efforts in crafting
something different is commendable.
Those choosing to move along with its occasionally peculiar techniques
will be rewarded a fine viewing experience few can match.
Movie Review
Rating out of 10: 8
Movie Review
by Patrick Moore
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Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.
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