Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is a 2017 drama starring Frances McDormand as Mildred Hayes. I think McDormand is most famous for her starring role in the movie "Fargo". Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell are key supporting actors.The film is quite powerful, and doesn't provide the easy answers to life's problems that many Hollywood films like to serve up.

The story begins 6 months or so after Mildred's daughter was raped and murdered. Unhappy with the progress of the local police investigation, Mildred rents three billboards on a road outside the town and chides police chief Willoughby (played by Woody Harrelson) for inaction. There are some pretty powerful emotions at play in this film, including strong feelings of guilt and sorrow. Many residents are sympathetic to Chief Willoughby, as they know he is dying of pancreatic cancer. But Mildred is a no nonsense individual on a mission, and is not afraid of confrontation with police, high-school students or local residents.

Police Chief Willoughby and Mildred Hayes

The key characters in the film are well developed, including the ghosts in their past lives that haunt them and their current problems. Help sometimes comes from an unlikely source. This is not a film with the traditional Hollywood bromides or ending, but I enjoyed it for the powerful story and performances.

Postscript: Frances McDormand won the 2018 Best Actress award for her performance in this film.

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