Snap Review: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Have you ever wanted to find out a little bit about a new film to get an indication of whether you’ll like it or not, and ended up reading the entire story? We have. That is why our snap reviews are designed specifically to help you decide if it’s one to watch without giving everything away. 

Star Rating: 4.5 Very Good – Excellent

Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) standing in front of one of the three billboards. Image Source.

Mildred Hayes, played by Frances McDormand pulls up in a battered Station Wagon and, deep in fretful thought, gazes at three large, unused and dilapidated, advertising billboards located 100 yards apart on a deserted highway in Ebbing, Missouri.

These will be utilised by Mildred, now in her fifties, to confront and shame local officers of law enforcement who she feels have neglected their responsibilities in finding the perpetrators of a heinous crime against her family which occurred seven months previously.

Her ire is mainly directed toward respected Chief of police William Willoughby, Woody Harrelson, who supported by a bigoted squad of fellow officers, employs heavy handed tactics against Mildred to remove the offending Billboard messages.

But Mildred Hayes is no shrinking violet and with a steely determination pursues her goal of belated justice. Frances McDormand by turns belligerent and vulnerable gives a coherent drive to the film and when on screen the eye is always drawn to her.

This, despite strong acting support from Harrelson who gives a nuanced performance in a potentially unsympathetic role. Playing alongside is junior cop Nixon played with sinister undertones by Sam Rockwell.

Chief of police William Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) with Junior Officer Jason Nixon (Sam Rockwell). Image Source.

The movie could have been set in the turn of the old Wild West. Mildred has the cussed assertiveness of John Wayne in Rio Bravo but also the fragile grace of Gary Cooper in High Noon.
The film also shares with the aforementioned its heroes and villains. But the motives of some are more opaque than others.

Director Martin McDonagh injects droll humour and some shocking violence in a calculated way that never steers away from the believability of the characters. The narrative is strong and stories link to a finely judged conclusion. But through it all, a woman has to do what a woman has to do. And with Mildred Hayes on their case, men should take heed.

Details

Language: English

Release Date: January 8, 2017 (UK)

Genre: Crime, Dark Comedy

Length: 130 minutes

Country: United States

Writer and Director: Martin McDonagh

Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh

Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage