I don't know why I went into this movie thinking it was a comedy. I was so very, and happily surprised with what I experienced in this film. I now understand all of the praise this movie received, and it deserved it!
I knew going in that I would like this movie. With Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell, you really can't go wrong. Then you add in great performances by Caleb Landry Jones, Lucas Hedges, and fantastic character actor, Zeljko Ivanek. This film has such a riveting story, and it is really so well acted. I haven't seen the Shape of Water as of yet, but I can't think that I will be as moved as I was during this film.
Thankfully, this film starts fast with Mildred (McDormand) driving past the titled three billboards. Next you see her entering the company that owns the billboards and renting them, with cash. Shortly thereafter you discover why she is doing this. The horrifying loss of a child has torn her family and she feels that the local police have given up.
The Ebbing Police force is led by Chief Willoughby (Harrelson) who is backed up by Officer Dixon (Rockwell). You find Willoughby explaining to Mildred that they simply had zero evidence. There was no DNA left, and there were no witnesses to the crime. Mildred of course can not accept this. She is determined to get answers and justice for her child.
The entire town of Ebbing seems to mourn the loss of Mildred's child, but they are also firmly opposed to her display on the billboards. Dixon, who is sort of a challenged loose cannon, blames the owner of the publishing company, for allowing these signs to be erected on the billboards and confesses to always disliking him. The tension between these two builds throughout the film.
Along the way we discover that Willoughby is dying from cancer. Once Mildred discovers this, the intensity of their personal battle calms. She still wants answers, but she empathizes with Willoughby's situation. After Willoughby's untimely death, Dixon goes on a slight rampage. He goes straight over the the publishing company, breaks through the door, assaults Red (the owner) and proceeds to throw him out of the window. This, of course, costs Dixon his job.
As the frustration builds in the town, and in Mildred, she decides to burn down the police station. You see Mildred using molotov cocktails to burn the station, not knowing that Dixon was inside. Dixon escapes with severe burns, but lives and ends up in the same hospital room as Red. After Red continues to show him kindness, Dixon sets out to find the person who killed Mildred's child.
Everything about this film is just superb; down to the lighting and camera angles. This film made me laugh, and it made me cry. There is a lot of pain on display, a lot of loss. I would recommend this for anyone 12 and over. Really worth the time, more than once!
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