Review: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Frances McDormand plays a resident of the title town who is frustrated and enraged that local authorities have not to her satisfaction done enough to solve the murder case of her daughter. To give them a kick up the pants, she organises to have billboards put up giving them and anyone who drives by a piece of her mind. Woody Harrelson plays the local sheriff who isn’t exactly a knight and shining armour, but has his own personal issues going on as well. Sam Rockwell plays an idiot, racist, homophobe deputy who is determined he is going to do jack-shit about anything. Abbie Cornish plays Harrelson’s wife, Peter Dinklage a local little person, and Lucas Hedges is McDormand’s son.

Although I hate the title (I also think Outside should be capitalised since Billboards has been capitalised), this 2017 film from writer-director Martin McDonagh (the sometimes hilarious “In Bruges”) is pretty damn good. It becomes a bit convenient in the home stretch and I’m not sure I can entirely stomach the ending, but otherwise there’s a lot to like here.

I generally prefer Frances McDormand in supporting roles, but I can’t deny she immediately owns this film. She’s an absolute force of nature in this one, and was perhaps born for this role. I know it’s wrong, but McDormand kicking students – both male and female – in the crotch is hilarious to me. It’s a mostly serious story, but McDonagh unsurprisingly brings some bitter humour along for the ride. The supporting cast here is largely excellent, even if some are afforded more screen time than others. Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell are both standouts, and while I understand the reason why the Academy ultimately awarded Rockwell an Oscar (it’s one of his best turns to date), I’m certainly glad Harrelson was at least nominated for his excellent efforts here. I do wish he were in the film more, but it’s understandable as the film isn’t about Harrelson’s character. Given he’s a piece of shit with a badge I think McDonagh goes a little too easy on Rockwell’s character by the end of the film, whereas Harrelson’s dying lawman with a hint of a conscience is a tad more believable. However, there’s no denying the work of the actors themselves. Abbie Cornish looks really nice in this, but given the film is even less about her than Harrelson, she gets pretty much nothing to work with. I also think that pretty or not, it probably is a bit jarring to have someone in Ebbing who is so glammed up. I did like how she was allowed to use her natural accent rather than try and fail yet again with a yank accent. Others found that more distracting for someone from Ebbing, Missouri but I wasn’t worried about that at all. Look out for a fun supporting turn by Peter Dinklage and a mullet that truly needs to be seen to be believed.

I probably would’ve liked a less neat and contrived finale, but otherwise this is a pretty strong film with moments of drama and humour. Frances McDormand is pitch-perfect and thoroughly deserved her Oscar win, as did Sam Rockwell in support.  

Rating: B-