Three Billboards

Dave and I have been wanting to see this highly acclaimed but very strange film for a while.  Finally got to the theater yesterday afternoon and was surprised to see that it was full.  We sat in the second row - but with the new reclining chairs it was great.  Like looking at a movie on the ceiling while lying in your bed.

On the way home we talked about language and how it can hurt.  This past week the whole world has had to deal with our president using some terrible language to describe some third world countries, including the entire continent of Africa.

Frances McDormand wears this getup
throughout the entire film. 

The language in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is over the top violent and mean.  Disgusting words are used to describe African Americans, women, and little people.  Every person in the movie is angry and dealing with that anger in a destructive way.  Not to mention setting each other on fire, getting shot in the head, and so forth.

Along with all of the above, this film is extremely funny.  Frances McDormand, one of my favorite actors, is grieving, vengeful and mean while, at the same time, being funny and sympathetic.

When the film is over it seems like nothing has changed.  BUT, every character's life has changed for the better.  So everything has changed.

This all comes about because the sheriff, played by Woody Harrelson, sets the moral compass in a most intriguing way.  He does it with the written word.


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