Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is what the world would look like if we all acted out our impulses. Hint: it’s a lot of anger. The trailer did a great job making this movie look like a Cohen Brothers film. The difference between authentic Cohen and Martin McDonagh is that Three Billboards doesn’t manage to tie all the crazy things that happen up into a strangely cohesive narrative. Not that it has to make complete sense. Part of grief is confusion. A feeling of not having control, and acting out impulses that you shouldn’t. They explored that concept in depth, and sometimes to great effect. But at times, the movie felt like it was throwing twists just for shock factor. Just to keep you on your toes. I wonder if that’s because they couldn’t handle the more delicate moments.

The question I found myself asking after the movie: “Would this movie have survived without Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell?” It takes a very specific type of actor to handle McDonagh’s style. Like his earlier (and better) film, In Bruges, Three Billboards jarringly blends comedy and tragedy. Luckily for the film, they’re both in it, and they’re both really good. Woody is good too I guess, even though I don’t like what they did with his character.

I saw this right after it won Best Drama Picture at the Golden Globes. I don’t think they got that right. So, I may be looking at this film differently than I would if I had seen it before it’s Best Picture win. Maybe I would have liked it more if it didn’t have that weight of expectation added to it. In all, it was a pretty good movie. Not “best of the year” good though.

3.5 stars out of 5

To check out what I’m watching, or what I’ve watched, check out my Letterbox’d page. I’ve tried to rate every single movie I have ever seen.