Three Billboards Outsides Ebbing, Missouri: Movie Review

It is award season—and that means film buzz is in the air! Among the top contenders this year is a movie called “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” (commonly referenced as “Three Billboards”). This movie has generated buzz for its quality, Oscar-worthy performances and brutally honest depiction of racism in America. However, these were all reasons why it was even better going to see this movie before hearing anything about the movie, with absolutely no idea of what to expect.

Within the first few minutes of the film, it was obvious that the acting was going to be phenomenal. Performances by Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell are all excellent, and it is very hard to choose one that stands out the most. McDormand plays Mildred, a woman struggling to cope with her daughter’s horribly tragic death, and she does so with a great command of all the traits that make her character likable: toughness, grit and humor. Her counterpart, played by Harrelson, is the town’s sheriff. Harrelson’s character of Chief Willoughby is not only dealing with terminal cancer, but also the guilt from Mildred’s accusations. Although he opposes the film’s lead role, he is not an antagonist, but rather a different perspective on the issue, which emphasizes the complexity of the plot.

Sam Rockwell’s character, Jason Dixon, also brings a strange combination of pity, detestment and likability. Jason is a racist and an alcoholic, but he is well-intentioned and troubled, making it very difficult to know whether his next actions will be good or bad in the audience's eyes. Peter Dinklage also plays a small part (sorry, bad pun), but his role as potential love interest and comic relief is a welcome surprise—he is one of the most likeable characters in the film. Dinklage’s character James is a much needed break from the drama as McDormand’s, Harrelson’s and Rockwell’s characters are all excellently troubled.

To match each actor’s wonderful performance, the plot put the characters into many situations that tested their strength and their ability to do what is right. Each tragedy or act of violence throughout adds to the tension—sometimes this tension is relieved, and other times it leads to more tragedy. It becomes more and more difficult for every one of the characters as the plot progresses, and it is exciting (but also difficult) to see how each person deals with it.

I imagine that many people will not like the ending of the movie. From a plot standpoint, the events of the film continue to build straight on through the ending, and the movie ends without allowing for a definite answer or a sense of relief. Looking at this film thematically, however, the ending makes sense. The harsh reality of the ending perfectly matches the tone set and maintained throughout the rest of the film. While the movie’s events sometimes seem over-dramatized or even implausible, the way the film demonstrates how one act of evil can lead to another is done excellently. Looking at the plot overall, and understanding the movie’s theme that being just is more important than being law abiding, it only makes sense that the film does not give the audience a direct answer to their looming suspicions.

Led by its incredible acting performances, “Three Billboards” takes many difficult issues that we continue to face in America today and manages to tell a deeply compelling story. The characters, plot and themes this movie presents all make for an enjoyable film and a learning experience.