Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: A Movie Review
The theme of this movie surrounds a grieving mother (Frances McDormand’s ‘Mildred’) and her attempt to avenge her daughter’s death. The three billboards play a crucial role in catalyzing this process and progressing the investigation. Officer Willoughby (played by Woody Harrelson), who is going through some major problems of his own, is being held responsible by her for not catching the culprit. But the most interesting and influential character is Offer Dixon (played by Same Rockwell), who changes the course of the story in drastic ways.
“Anger begets greater anger.” This story shows the consequences of anger and how it leads to further rage. Anger is like a ‘snowball rolling down the hill’; it enlarges unless met with caring, understanding, and love.
All the characters are carefully written, and their histories exactly match up with their dialogues and behaviour. The movie doesn’t leave any space for questioning the actions of any of the characters. What makes this movie spectacular is that in all of the hatred and anger, it unexpectedly drops an act of kindness and catches the audience off guard. Such acts completely change our outlook towards the characters. I think apart from the stunning performance of the entire cast, what makes this film one of my favourites is Sam Rockwell’s character curve. The amount of change he displays can easily bring tears.
I feel that everyone should watch this film at least once. It teaches many lessons and deals with humanistic problems. This might not be a jolly film throughout, but you will be smiling by the end of it!
Minor Spoiler Ahead!
Many don’t understand the ending and feel irritated by the fact that it has been kept open-ended. But personally, I feel it is one of the best endings a movie can have. This is because the conclusion keeps a reality check. Not all stories have a joyful ending, and not all mysteries are meant to be solved. What matters is how we react to the situation at hand- through anger, hate, and resentment or through compassion and sympathy.
Happy Watching :)
