Film: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

GENRE: Drama

RATING: R for pervasive language, violence & some sexual content
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 55 minutes

STARRING: Frances McDormand (Fargo, Olive Kitteridge)

Woody Harrelson (True Detective), Sam Rockwell (Moon, Iron Man 2)

DIRECTOR: Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths)

WRITER: Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths)

PLOT: It’s a war between the cops and a mother who lost her daughter in an unsolved murder.  

FULL DISCLOSURE: I love Martin McDonagh’s theatrical plays.

STORY STUFF: Wow, what a story. There are so many great moments throughout the film. The humour is pitch black and the drama is captivating. Even with all the bad language and extremely racist dialogue, this film is filled with grace, forgiveness and love. McDonagh sure knows how to write them.

ACTING STUFF: McDonagh has assembled an amazing cast. Everyone is a treat to watch in both large and small roles. McDormand is acidic, Harrelson is moving, Rockwell will make you laugh, cringe, cheer, and shock. Also, great to see Lucas Hedges (Lady Bird) again and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) without the weight of Westeros on his shoulders.

ARTISTIC STUFF: I wouldn’t say there is anything particularly amazing about the way the film is made. There are some cool extreme wide shots of the billboards and some steadi-cam follow shots. Not much bells and whistles, but with this level of writing and acting, who needs it.

VERDICT: Four and half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You can handle bad language mixed with stories of grace.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Shape of Water