Studly Doright was on the road all this week. He was supposed to have made it home last night, but an issue arose that prevented his return. I’m still not feeling terrific, so while I was bummed that he would be gone another night, I was glad I wouldn’t have the worry of keeping him awake with my sneezing and snorting.
Having an extra and unexpected night to myself I decided to finally watch the film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri. Studly watched it one night many months ago when I was traveling, so last night seemed a perfect time for me to play catch up.
Studly wasn’t sure how he’d felt about the film, so I approached it cautiously. I knew Frances McDormand was awarded the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance, and that the film had garnered lots of praise and additional awards, so I figured it would be worth my time. I was right.
First of all, Ms. McDormand was incredible as a mom wracked with guilt and a driving need for justice as her daughter’s brutal rape and murder went unsolved. Woody Harrelson, as the police chief in the small town of Ebbings, gave a performance that haunted me all night. Why he didn’t win the Oscar is beyond my understanding. Sam Rockwell, who did win Best Supporting Actor for his role as a deputy with a whole host of issues, was nothing short of brilliant.
I loved this film while understanding why Studly did not. I identified with Mcdormand’s character from the get go. I’ve been that mom who just barely had her sh*t together, who lashed out at her children when she was really just lashing out at her own failings as a mom and wife. I felt her guilt for sending her daughter out into the world with angry words, and then never seeing her daughter alive again.
This movie has no easy resolution. That is why Studly struggled with liking it. He acknowledged that the acting was incredible, but he was dissatisfied with the way the story unfurled. The denouement wasn’t what he’d hoped. I believe that’s also why I liked it.
I could imagine the characters evolving and finding closure. The film left me with hope. While maybe we can never fix this one horrible event, our lives don’t have to be stuck in purgatory for eternity. Maybe we can move forward with understanding even as flawed as we are.
I am a lousy reviewer, but I couldn’t get Three Billboards out of my mind. If you’ve seen it, I’d love to discuss the film with others.
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
That was my fave movie last year….
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So well done.
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Good review –
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I can’t wait to check this out
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I’ll want your take I it!
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cool – I added it to my list so it might be a while. I also want to watch “Traitor” and Conagher (1991)
– thanks again – I never what you will post about it and the review was a good read
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Thanks!
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I’ve been meaning to watch this for so long now. Now that U’ve read your review, I think I’ll definitely like it. Thanks for sharing!
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Let me know what you think.
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I’ve seen it twice (once on a plane to UK, it’s easily watchable again). Frances McDormand, already a favourite of mine is exceptional, as are Woody and the other cast members. It is a film that stays with you long after it ends, not just for the storyline but for the characters, you really do wonder about their future lives and how they will pan out. Five out of five stars for me.
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I totally agree.
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I want to check this one out, too. And once again you have given me a new word. I had to look it up because I was unfamiliar with the word ‘denouement’. Thanks!
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Denouement is one of those words that I learned from context clues early on because I was such an avid reader as a kid. Unfortunately, to my embarrassment, I only learned how to correctly pronounce it a few years ago. Heaven only knows how often I said “dee no mount” before a friend educated me. The movie is quite good, by the way.
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I definitely listened to the pronunciation when I looked it up. Must be French.
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I believe so. I have soooo many words like that. Facade. Docile. Flaccid. Surreptitiously. I knew what they meant but mangled the pronunciation for years. Laziness and hubris are my only excuses!
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