Winner of four Golden Globes for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is currently playing throughout Australia. A thoughtfully constructed film with unapologetic humour the plays against expectations at several turns and offers no easy answers about how we can best deal with injustice and our own anger at the state of the world. Frances McDormand leads a pitch perfect cast full of heavy hitters character actors, rising talent and the formidable talents of people like John Hawkes, Sam Rockwell and yes Woody Harrelson. This is not a comforting film or at times even entertaining but it is an intelligent confronting film from the mind of the man who brought In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. It may be his best yet and it will stay with you as the award season rolls on. You can read more of my thoughts over here https://heavymag.com.au/film-review-three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/ at Heavy Magazine where I was lucky enough to have my review published.
National treasure, fine actress and all around great broad Frances McDormand stepped up to the mike with a great speech at the Golden Globes following her win. We’ll see how she fares in the race for Oscar but a good Globes speech never hurts. Nor does acting your ass off in one helluva performance. This film won’t be for everyone but McDormand’s performance should meet with universal praise.
Featuring in the trailer was Don’t Walk Away From Me Renee by Motown group The Four Tops. The use of the song hints at the themes of the film but also how different things can exist alongside each other.
Heavy is an independent magazine and website that is all about the music and specifically heavy music and supporting the Australian music scene in general. Fortunately for me they do cover film as well and I have been fortunate to have a few things published there.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
I haven’t seen the movie, but will take your word on how good it is. As far as the awards go, I am embarrassed that they have become more about political correctness than about excellence.
That is a matter of opinion GP but I take your point. Artists are bound to express themselves but the Globes have always been a glamour party rather than a serious awards show. That being said there are often many deserving nominees and winners. I’d put McDormand and Rockwell in that category.
Agreed.
Great review, Lloyd. The film sounds good, but I am unusual, in that I have issues with McDormand. I cannot really put my finger on it, but I find her hard to watch, and abrasive. She almost ruined ‘Fargo’ for me! The rest of the cast saved it, fortunately.
Best wishes, Pete.
Best to avoid then if you didn’t like her in Fargo. Thank you for reading and the kind words. Have you seen In Bruges?
I have. Despite Farrell, I quite enjoyed it! 🙂
He’s a guy who was getting pushed as the next big thing and now he’s just like I’ll do good indies. His blockbusters have never been as good so why not go down the other path?
Frances McDormand is a powerhouse, and such an excellent actor. I’m glad she received the award and I’m glad she spoke out.
I enjoyed her speech too Jet. I have no problem with those that didn’t but I liked it. She already has an Oscar from Fargo. If she didn’t I would be certain this is her year, as it is…it might be yet. 🙂
McDormand, with or without the Coens, is one of great living actresses. Nice review in HEAVY.
Thank you Don. I’m glad you enjoyed it and yes of course I agree she’s a great actress. Sam Rockwell is also very strong, I mean what a cast?! If I hadn’t mentioned it before, loved the fight stuff in Wonder Woman.
Thanks Lloyd, I’m taking my Daughter to see this in a couple of days. I’d just finished watching Woody Harrelson in The True Detective so I look forward to this. As for political correctness I wonder if this is just a way of saying that I don’t agree with what the other person says.
True Detective is one of my favourite shows of the past decade. I guess we’re going to the last part of this one? I think sometimes your theory holds true, at other times I think I understand when someone says they’re over political correctness. I’m over things too at times. I hope you and your daughter enjoy the movie. I’d be interested to hear what you and her think are pivotal moments in the film after you’ve seen it.
I’ll get her to take notes!! And I thought there was a very serious parallel between True Detective and that Swedish/Danish cop show “The Bridge”
I will have to check out The Bridge. There was a lot of buzz around Scandinavian cop shows a few years back.
It is well worth the effort.
Great review. You must be pleased withe Golden Globe love.
I’m excited to see The Shape of Water and Ladybird when they come out here. I suspect I might like them a lot. However Three Billboards is good and I have no issues with McDormand racking up a win. Besides the Globes sometimes make outside the box choices which can be good for helping some films or shows find a larger audience.
The Shape of Water was wonderful.
Another glowing recommendation from an esteemed and enjoyed critic. 🙂
Lloyd, it’s charm is all over the place. I love fables and magical realism. This is a fine addition.
I’m trying very hard not to get too hyped. Dan Murrell over at Screen Junkies championed Ladybird a little while back and just this past week the buzz on The Shape of Water is going off. I like fables too, and romance and fantasy and you and John Rieber like it and I’m trying very hard to keep my expectations in check. Will see for myself in the next couple of weeks.
Lloyd, I have a “basic popular film” guy friend in the warehouse who sat and enjoyed this film. He is usually a Hangover movie guy. I was excited but it hasn’t come close to where I live. I’m excited Guillermo won for Shape of Water. I also want to see The Post and Ladybird.
I tell friends that when movie stars speak up, they help others to listen. My Mom admired Ronald Reagan (political middle, centrist in some areas) but would crack me up mentioning, “You know Nancy was his makeup girl and Jane Wynan was his wife!” 😀
Cool anecdote Robin. 🙂 Well hopefully the Globes buzz will bring 3 Billboards to your door. In the meantime we’ll see what the other ones are like.