by Pa Rock
Film Fan
It's been quite awhile since I've dedicated space in this blog to talking about a movie, at least one not written by my son, but that dry spell comes to an end today. Last night while entertaining myself in the home of a rich relative who has a Showtime subscription, I came across a recent movie that I had been wanting to watch. I had heard some very good things about Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, and I was not disappointed.
(Soapbox Moment: Although the story takes place in the fictional small town of Ebbing, Missouri, and the scenery is quite rustic and beautiful, it is not Missouri - at least any part of the state that I've ever seen. It puts me in mind of Jason Bateman's Netflix show, Ozark, which is supposedly set around the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri, but is actually filmed in Georgia. Missouri has its share of breathtaking scenery, but until our state legislature begins to offer some incentives for filmmaking, like the significant tax breaks that other states provide, films about Missouri will continue to be shot elsewhere.)
The three necessary elements to any successful movie are a good script that tells an engaging tale, a capable director who can translate the script to film, and actors who can bring the characters to life. Three Billboards easily surpasses all of those basic standards.
The film was written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the British filmmaker who also wrote and directed two other highly acclaimed movies: In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. McDonagh's plots are clever, and he brings them to the screen in ways that keep the viewers focused and interested in the story that he is telling. Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, is a tale that pulls people into the lives of the characters and propels them along as the story unfolds. The people who populate this make-believe town are flawed - and they are compelling.
The actors who breathe life into the primary characters are dead-on perfect in their roles. Frances McDormand is riveting as the bitter mother who is prodding the local law enforcement community to find the person who raped and murdered her teenage daughter. She has her tender moments, but always resets to the an angry and determined mode. Those who liked McDormand in Fargo and Wonder Boys, will love her in this movie.
Woody Harrelson is the frustrated Chief of Police who feels that he has no logical way to proceed in investigating the rape and murder of the girl. As a father of two young girls, he has an understanding of the sincerity and depth of the mother's rage, but he also feels that there is nothing more he can do until the rapist/killer does something stupid to reveal himself. To add another level of emotion to Harrelson's character, he is also dying of cancer.
And then there is the town deputy portrayed by Sam Rockwell. Rockwell, who has a long history of great performances in mediocre movies, has finally found his vehicle - and he is amazing as the somewhat doofus and bigoted deputy who still lives with his domineering mother. All of the characters experience change and growth as the story plays out, but none moreso than Rockwell's deputy.
This movie has been described as "darkly comic" because there are some scenes that tend to evoke completely inappropriate outbursts of laughter - such as when the deputy is standing in the police station late at night reading a letter and fails to notice that the place is being firebombed - or when the ill police chief is haranguing the grieving mother and suddenly coughs blood on her, but for the most part it is a highly realistic and very compelling drama. (However, several situations and a steady flow of seasoned language combine to make the film inappropriate for children.)
Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri is a complicated tale told in simple terms. It drew me in with enough force to assure that I will revisit the town and its residents again at some point. I have made multiple trips to Bruges and still learn more with each visit.
If you want to watch a film that will stay with you, like a satisfying meal, consider Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. It's one that will be hard to forget.
Film Fan
It's been quite awhile since I've dedicated space in this blog to talking about a movie, at least one not written by my son, but that dry spell comes to an end today. Last night while entertaining myself in the home of a rich relative who has a Showtime subscription, I came across a recent movie that I had been wanting to watch. I had heard some very good things about Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, and I was not disappointed.
(Soapbox Moment: Although the story takes place in the fictional small town of Ebbing, Missouri, and the scenery is quite rustic and beautiful, it is not Missouri - at least any part of the state that I've ever seen. It puts me in mind of Jason Bateman's Netflix show, Ozark, which is supposedly set around the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri, but is actually filmed in Georgia. Missouri has its share of breathtaking scenery, but until our state legislature begins to offer some incentives for filmmaking, like the significant tax breaks that other states provide, films about Missouri will continue to be shot elsewhere.)
The three necessary elements to any successful movie are a good script that tells an engaging tale, a capable director who can translate the script to film, and actors who can bring the characters to life. Three Billboards easily surpasses all of those basic standards.
The film was written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the British filmmaker who also wrote and directed two other highly acclaimed movies: In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. McDonagh's plots are clever, and he brings them to the screen in ways that keep the viewers focused and interested in the story that he is telling. Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, is a tale that pulls people into the lives of the characters and propels them along as the story unfolds. The people who populate this make-believe town are flawed - and they are compelling.
The actors who breathe life into the primary characters are dead-on perfect in their roles. Frances McDormand is riveting as the bitter mother who is prodding the local law enforcement community to find the person who raped and murdered her teenage daughter. She has her tender moments, but always resets to the an angry and determined mode. Those who liked McDormand in Fargo and Wonder Boys, will love her in this movie.
Woody Harrelson is the frustrated Chief of Police who feels that he has no logical way to proceed in investigating the rape and murder of the girl. As a father of two young girls, he has an understanding of the sincerity and depth of the mother's rage, but he also feels that there is nothing more he can do until the rapist/killer does something stupid to reveal himself. To add another level of emotion to Harrelson's character, he is also dying of cancer.
And then there is the town deputy portrayed by Sam Rockwell. Rockwell, who has a long history of great performances in mediocre movies, has finally found his vehicle - and he is amazing as the somewhat doofus and bigoted deputy who still lives with his domineering mother. All of the characters experience change and growth as the story plays out, but none moreso than Rockwell's deputy.
This movie has been described as "darkly comic" because there are some scenes that tend to evoke completely inappropriate outbursts of laughter - such as when the deputy is standing in the police station late at night reading a letter and fails to notice that the place is being firebombed - or when the ill police chief is haranguing the grieving mother and suddenly coughs blood on her, but for the most part it is a highly realistic and very compelling drama. (However, several situations and a steady flow of seasoned language combine to make the film inappropriate for children.)
Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri is a complicated tale told in simple terms. It drew me in with enough force to assure that I will revisit the town and its residents again at some point. I have made multiple trips to Bruges and still learn more with each visit.
If you want to watch a film that will stay with you, like a satisfying meal, consider Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. It's one that will be hard to forget.
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