Writer/Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring; Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Few actors in Hollywood have the ability to tell stories as compelling as Sam Rockwell. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990s, Rockwell has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s racist police officers, political leaders or astronauts in dangers, Rockwell has portrayed countless strong characters. Arguably, Rockwell’s finest strength as an actor has always been his bold choices. He’s always been one of those actors that isn’t afraid of taking risks. Through ability to portray characters which aren’t commonly likeable, Rockwell has created a career which is powerful. Rockwell’s bravery has made him an inspiring icon in the film industry. Shining a bright light in darkness, Rockwell has become a commemorated figure in the entertainment business. Throughout his illustrious career, Rockwell has created several unforgettable movies tackling commemorated themes that are definitely without a single doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Rockwell and admire all the movies he has made throughout his strong career. However, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” is definitely my favourite. Since its release in 2018, Martin McDonagh’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about vengeance. At the centre of it all is an iconic performance by Sam Rockwell, who captures the turmoil faced by a conflicted police officer. Ultimately, what makes “Three Billboards” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about loss, there are countless reasons why “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” is a movie worth seeing.
Set in a small town of Ebbing, Missouri, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” tells the story of a woman seeking vengeance for her daughter’s murder causing tragedy. Frances McDormand portrays Mildred Hayes, a grief-stricken woman struggling to cope with death of her daughter. Angry with the injustice of her daughter’s death, Mildred builds billboards in the town that protest her daughter’s murder. However, Mildred’s hope of finding justice for her daughter’s death is threatened by police-officers. Mildred’s actions attract attention of police-officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell). Dixon is a conflicted cop that suffers from serious anger issues. As the tensions between Mildred and the police are escalated, she starts to wonder whether she would ever achieve justice for the painful murder of her beloved daughter that’s committed. Facing a dilemma, Mildred begins questioning whether she would ever be able to cope with the sad death of her daughter that causes trauma.
Martin McDonagh is fascinated with themes of crime. Before he had made “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, McDonagh gained fame for making gangster films. His previous film “In Bruges” offered an engaging glimpse at the lives of gangsters committing crime in Bruges. With “Three Billboards Outside, Ebbing Missouri”, however, the filmmaker created his first revenge drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers experienced by vengeful mothers that build billboards, but he succeeds tremendously. Through spellbinding cinematography, McDonagh captures journey of a mother seeking vengeance for the death of her daughter causing tragedy. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. McDonagh deftly uses montages to capture a mother seeking vengeance for her daughter’s painful murder. For instance, montages enhance the billboard scene. During this memorable scene, Mildred creates billboards to protest the death of her daughter causing terror. One admired strong montages capturing the lives of mothers that seek vengeance for the death of daughters. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Adam McKay’s “Vice” claimed, montages elevate political biopics. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through spellbinding visuals, McDonagh captures mother’s grieving deaths that are upsetting.
Another admirable aspect of “Three Billboards Ebbing Missouri” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. McDonagh effectively utilizes a neighbourhood in Ebbing, Missouri to build a realistic town. Throughout the movie, McDonagh successfully uses real-life locations across Missouri to create a town that’s realistic. The town plays a crucial role in the movie is capturing a woman that struggles to cope with tragedy. For instance, the town of Missouri enhances the police station scene. In this memorable scene, Mildred confronts Dixon in his police station regarding the injustice of her daughter’s murder. One admires the real-life locations capturing a woman mourning the heartbreaking loss of her daughter that causes catastrophe. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Carter Burrell’s music is important towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which grief-stricken mothers bear. Through powerful production, McDonagh captures mothers embarking upon journeys of retribution.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” is a film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses symbolism to capture mothers grieving the heartbreaking loss of daughters that prove to be upsetting. McDonagh’s strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture the lives of grief-stricken mothers through symbolism. Throughout the movie, the three billboards become a symbol of loss that affects Mildred. They symbolize the pain she feels regarding the unresolved murder of her iconic daughter. For instance, the symbolism of the billboards enhances the billboard discovery scene. During this heartfelt scene, Mildred is confronted by police officer Willoughbuy for her decision to create three billboards protesting her daughter’s murders. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” suggested clearly, symbolism elevates movies about Wall Street bankers. Nevertheless, the symbolism works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, McDonagh captures mothers seeking vengeance with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Sam Rockwell delivers one of his best career performances as Dixon. Rockwell achieved appreciations for playing astronauts stranded on space. With “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”, however he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a cop that’s conflicted facing catastrophe, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, gritty and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, courage and resentments of a police officer. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors working in the film industry today.
Frances McDormand is fantastic as a mother seeking vengeance for her daughter’s murder that causes terror. While Rockwell gets the showier role, McDormand is equally effective as a mother whose life spirals out of control. McDormand is one of those actresses that has always had an aptitude for playing grief-stricken characters, and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” found her at her best. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase emotional vulnerability which she hadn’t shown in her career before. Whether she’s angrily confronting police in the station after her daughter’s murder or grieving her billboards being burned, McDormand use her expressions to capture the hardships of a mother seeking vengeance. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses in Hollywood today.
Lastly, the final standout in the cast is Woody Harrelson. As a police officer that’s affected by Cancer, he brings heartbreaking emotions to the movie.
Finally, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” will earn praise of everyone for capturing the themes of loss. Unlike most crime dramas, it’s one of those rare films which everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes including identity, racism and injustice which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American towns to appreciate it. The film delivers a strong message about injustice which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” is one of those rare movies which everyone will adore.
Fans of Sam Rockwell will definitely appreciate “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A fantastic masterpiece about grief, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about grief-stricken women building three billboards in small towns to protest murders of daughters that are devastating, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with strong presence that has gained a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for his abilities to portray compelling characters whose commemorated movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 