Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Pretty damn funny given the incredibly grim subject matter, but that's not a shock when you take into consideration that _Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri_ is directed by Martin McDonagh, who once again comes away with a win, which makes him, in my opinion at least, three for three as a director. _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._

Phenomenal film. Loved every second. I've been aware of this film, in name only (didn't know any of the plot etc.), since it came out and have always had a great feeling about it - I just had an inkling it would be great. It isn't, it's much more than that... it's incredible. The mix between the humour and seriousness is superb, I found myself laughing aloud one moment and then feeling saddened minutes later; that was the case a ridiculous amount of times throughout the 115 minutes. The premise is pretty mad and filled with coincidences, but I absolutely adore the way it is written and put together onscreen. The cinematography is also beautiful, as is the score. The pacing is fantastic too. All that is without even mentioning the cast, who are outstanding. What a terrific performance from Frances McDormand, who I always remember from 1998's 'Madeline' - one of the first films I recall watching at a young age. She's utterly brilliant as Mildred, from the first scene to the last. Her co-stars are also top notch, so well cast. Woody Harrelson (Willoughby) and Sam Rockwell (Dixon) are great in their respective roles, while my personal GOT king Peter Dinklage (James) also appears in a minor part. I liked Caleb Landry Jones (Red), also. 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' is a must-watch!

It was one of the better movies I've seen in that it plays on nostalgia and not nostalgia to a bygone decade, but more nostalgia for the old story driven indie and quasi-indie films that ruled the 1990s. Back in the day "Pulp Fiction" could win Academy Awards and tiny no budget movies like "Clerks" and "Reservoir Dogs" could gain cult followings and make long and successful careers out of their writer-directors. "Three Billboards" has all of that, the story based on characters and situations not based on political rhetoric and special effects. You get the sense, when you watch it, that they wanted to tell a story and that was all that mattered to them. There was a story to tell and everyone came together to tell it in the best way that they could...so it was moving, and it was funny, and it was dramatic, and it was oddly dark and oddly heartwarming. You walk away feeling that you've seen a movie, and you have. That's exactly what this is, an actual movie. It's not special effects strung together on the backs of weak characters playing out a plot that has been rebooted several times...it's an actual movie that tells an actual story. It's original. It's worth watching. It deserved everything that came its way at the rewards and more. It's the kind of movie that we need to see more of and its the kind of movie that I dearly miss seeing. Give it a watch, you won't see a movie like it again, and that, I feel, is time well spent.