Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@TSATCM]

Never in my life would I think to compare Chaucer to McDounagh in their use of language and yet the comparison is so apt. One of the many reasons Kermode is such a stellar reviewer. Said more in a sentence than many could do.

[@Gnator8t4]

What's up with the random noises and music? :P

[@Gimpylung]

Guess I wasn't the only one looking for stray browser tabs

[@LucienWD]

I'm thinking they let the clip play over after editing in the birdsong

[@euansmith3699]

I'm going for paranormal activity.

[@jamiemcewan]

The noise sounded like Simon falling off his seat.

[@jaeslow6347]

haha i looked to see if i had a ad playing

[@andydanko7074]

The hospital scene with Red and Jason was so unexpectedly deep and tender.

[@nicedwards7420]

Three Billboards is such a spiritual film about clearing your own demons to allow the world outside in, and then expand your own sphere of influence to improve the world.. I didn’t rush to see this film for some reason, but now do want to add it to my collection as know it will help inspire others. The stages of grief are DABDA: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance - and the grieving process is not linear. Love and hope are not part of the acronym. This film will break your heart and rebuild you within a new reality of truth. A must watch.

[@mssupadope8833]

Stellar story telling! If anyone has been through asphyxiating endless grief and remorse, this will resonate. It must be said that Francis McDormand is flawless here. Salute to talent!

[@schmoab]

I’m from Missouri and this movie gets the accents and behaviors spot on, thanks to the Oscar winning actors in it. It was the funniest movie of the year and had the best speech in a movie in a long time (early on at a kitchen table.) Should have won Best Picture, but too many don’t like films that have characters who are terribly flawed.

[@larssonk22]

There aren't many trailers that make me feel desperate to see the movie, but this was one such movie. I can't wait to finally see it.

[@shitpostheavy]

TheDonBarracuda "desprite"

[@larssonk22]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ stupid auto correct. Desperate

[@i_am_Vuss]

Have you seen it? Thoughts?

[@heikowyr7928]

To be honest I didn't like the trailer at all but the movie is brilliant.

[@toonu]

I hope you saw it, because it's a good movie.

[@edwardgleeson8386]

The mother's rant to the priest about "joining the gang" is one of the best, insightful monologues ever. It should be printed and distributed to students in high school and college.

[@crappymcdick]

What? No, it was meant to show Mildred's anger and how out of place she was there. Absolutely cruel to imply that the priest had anything to do with the things she talked about.

[@jitishchavan27]

@@crappymcdick r/woosh

[@shawndimery]

Calm down mate

[@alienanxiety]

Frances McDormand reminded me so much of Willem Dafoe in this movie.

[@thekingdomjester]

Watched the film last night. I wasn't disappointed. It's simultaneously funny, moving, heartbreaking, scary in places. Arguably Shakespearean in its use of language and it's masterful juggling of themes. Loved it.

[@sweeneyandthefellas7773]

Did the studio start to fall down at around 6 minutes??

[@valkyrie40205]

Been a long time since a film triggered an emotional response in me, but Woody Harrelson's character arc was a gut punch.

[@NickHunter]

Totally agree. I think it's because he and his family were so happy. Made his circumstance all the more tragic

[@CKGoldiing]

this is a quite special film, and one that moved me deeply

[@marichristian1072]

As soon as I saw Red reading Flannery O'Connor in one of the early scenes, I knew what to expect in terms of grotesque characters and the violence to redemption arc. The Celtic folk song in the opening drove me crazy but I understood its role through its various incarnations in the movie. Undoubtedly the ensemble acting is superb. But I prefer McD's earlier film "In Bruges"...which is an f'ing little masterpiece.

[@FollowBetulas]

This is what I've been waiting for. Saw Three Billboards back in Nov. Absolutely brilliant in its performance by all, especially McDormand. In terms of black comedies, this is very much vantablack comedy.

[@gavaniacono]

Brilliant review. Chaucer and Psycho references, wonderful.

[@GiantSandles]

I think it tries to juggle a few too many different things at once, the racism angle in particular just seems really clumsily done and extraneous

[@JasperChalks]

Agreed, I love the film but the racial element was, at best, pretty damn tone-deaf.

[@GabrielGarciaRamos]

I don't think there was any racism angle. It was a character thing. The movie doesn't have to address that. We decide to which extent do we judge him or not.

[@GiantSandles]

Having a character say the N word once or twice is one thing but the film made a point of bringing up the character's racism over and over again in the first half of the movie only for it to kind of fizzle out and not have any bearing on the overall plot

[@jackbinger4821]

Gabriel Ramos that's the only thing that bothers me about the movie (which was so amazing). It uses racism as a character trait for Dixon rather than an issue that needed to be discussed. I though they were going to delve deeper into that issue, but it ended up being ignored in the latter half of the movie after Dixon's redemptive arc

[@nigeldorning206]

I don't necassarily think they were attempting to discuss racism, but have that characters racism be a product of his hate and anger which he begins to learn to let go off towards the end of the film so I thought it was handled well in that regard. At least that's how I read it anyway.

[@MatthewGClarke]

I very much enjoyed it. If 'enjoyed' is the correct term. Some terrific performances, especially from McDormand and Rockwell. Unpredictable, funny and harrowing.

[@NOTwowitsphil]

Seen some brilliant films this year but this is number 1

[@TheSt1092]

Well we are only in mid January 2018. You can't have seen that many.

[@goodial]

@Stephen the U.S. had the film in 2017, I think that he's referring to the previous year of 2017, not 2018 ...

[@danbrown9085]

But it smells like #2

[@jedigecko06]

Every time a bird sings; an angel singes it's wings....

[@davidmurray5926]

Brilliant, Brilliant film. No other words.

[@Film_Fan24]

I wouldn't mind Blade Runner 2049 or Call Me by Your Name not winning that many awards if Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri wins it for them.

[@Luvie1980]

filmfan24 I would mind

[@alextitcombe9494]

My three favourite films of the year

[@diggaboo4028]

I wish 2019 was as good of a year for film as 2017 was :(

[@TallinnTadgh]

Mark there was really no need to go on like that for eleven-and-a-half minutes, All people need to know is that this movie is ABSOLUTELY 'BIRDSONG' BRILLIANT.

[@euansmith3699]

Sounds great. I'll be off to watch it, if only to see if Sam Rockwell manages to work some dancing in to his role.

[@ChrisH78]

This film had me all over the place with its mix of humour and savagery.

[@burdGIS]

But that CGAwful deer!! As unnecessary as the fake baby in American Sniper

[@vickyhau1382]

Just been to see this. It was the absolute opposite of pedestrian. Moving poignant and eye opening. Frances McDormand was mesmerising.

[@Cotictimmy]

Do not agree with Mark Kermode's comment that the town is totally lawless, but I agree with almost everything else he says.

[@the_katman2181]

Obviously McDormand is great in this. She just is, always. And Sam Rockwell is fantastic too. But the real surprise performance, for me, was Woody Harrelson. His character was so nuanced and complex. Not what I was expecting from the stereotypical uncooperative police chief at all.

[@jabba149]

Watched this film yesterday and I had such high hopes for it but I walked out of the cinema totally underwhelmed. It has very strong characters, some very solid scenes but absolutely no cohesion.

[@MrJuicekrew]

Not even breaking sentence stride whilst the studio is ransacked around him. Yup, that's our Mark.

[@aaroninky]

the characters may be complex and involved in a web of complications, but the dialogue and storytelling were anything but complex. heaped clichés, greeting-card platitudes, unbelievable exposition and totally unreal monologues. some of the scenes were cringe-induging (thinking of the scene with the sheriff's wife in the gift shop). the grand sociopolitical themes were shoehorned in and came across as shallow and one dimensional (we have police brutality/black lives matter and, oddly, catholic sex crimes). i spent the entire film trying to figure out if the exaggerated tone and hokey lines were intentional, as part of some sort of fabulist-style storytelling; but actually, compared to how tight and lean the script to 'in bruges' was, i think this is just bad. some of the scenes were very funny, but funny mostly because of the trademark use of swearing-as-punctuation; it seldom evoked genuine pathos or sadness for me - too much ludic comedy. it was like a clumsy Fargo.

[@thedigitaldropout]

spot on.. thank you! why is everyone raving about it?

[@rdevans4097]

The Film was astonishing in parts with McDormand tearing up the screen accompanied by a lovely and tender turn from Harleson. Wildly uneven with to many themes over egg the pudding. The dialogue crackles especially when spat out by FM. Certain scenes are implausible and put in to further the plot but at the expense of credibility. Also, the Deer & talking slippers scenes are equally superfluous and preposterous but to cap that the glowing endorsement by Harleson of Dixon the Racist with serious anger issues is plain daft. The Audience was non-plussed by the end but have to say I liked the inconclusiveness and suspect a sequel in the wings (Apparently there is going to be one). The other incongruity is the harping on about the age difference between two of the secondary characters but no mention of the gap between Harleson and his Wife. Super soundtrack.

[@charliepanayiotou4305]

The internet arguments about this film seem to be getting more heated by the day, which has me especially looking forward to it!

[@GabrielGarciaRamos]

Charlie Panayiotou All the backlash comes from social justice warriors being whiny as usual.

[@NxDoyle]

I have come to enjoy a good chunk of Kermode's reviews, which I listen to _after_ seeing the films. He normally takes care to dance around those areas that require it. Not so here. He blunts the impact of a few moments, sadly.

[@Hanky.SSCorp]

I actually think the background noise is the foley sounds of that exact clip they showed from Three Billboards!

[@BluRayMan12]

Fantastic film. One of the most challenging awards season films l of the past few years. Definitely worth your time. That being said I wasn’t sold on a lot of the third act. In particular the final scene. I get what it’s trying to say. It just didn’t work for me personally.

[@DaveByrdUK]

i've just watching this. it was fantastic. very funny and very emotional.

[@amyclarke41]

wanted to see this last week , bokked up aww

[@olsinbad6815]

do ya think that Jason Dixon is a reference to the Mason Dixon line and dixon's own civil war within himself

[@IceGuts]

Loved the movie and Frances McDormand should get at least an Oscar nomination for her performance. Having said that, I think the writing was just too unrealistic IMHO, the police officer creates a crime scene, breaks glass, punches a secretary in the mouth and disfigures and throws a man out the window to bounce off the roof and fall onto the pavement and all this is witnessed by the new to be Police Chief and folks in town? and no criminal charge ? No news? Why would be new Police Chief want to cover up for him to only take his badge and be done with it and the woman punched in the mouth would not press charges ? Just weird over the top gratuitous violence in unrealistic plot chunk.

[@craighutchings8327]

Absolutely fantastic film. Oscars for the film, Rockwell and Mcdermond!

[@rain_down_]

A film with dark humour running all the way through it, and a disturbing plot line to hang it all together. Maybe not as good in the emotional stakes as Call Me By Your Name, but a brilliant film nonetheless.

[@isabellamorris7902]

Great screenplay and great lead performance but I didn't think it was the second coming in film form as many critics seem to. Still very watchable though and I will definitely be checking out In Bruges (which is on Netflix).

[@sandermalschaert2336]

Bird song is very often territorial warnings and posturing so well done I guess

[@olderloverxx]

Was it really that good though? Here I am April 2021 and I have no desire to watch it again.

[@oscarmaidana9294]

Been honest I dont think this movie wins anything... but I predict this movie will remain watchable even after the Oscar season past and no other like the other films wont be forgotten.

[@GiantSandles]

It's already won 4 Golden Globes and seems like a frontrunner for Actress, Supporting Actor and Screenplay at least

[@oscarmaidana9294]

GiantSandles Well. Im happy. It helps the movie was released on Nov-Dec. As long as a movie remains in the public eye, better their chances to get it an Oscar.

[@paullyness8013]

Best film ive watched in many a year a classic,great review Mark

[@iwanebbing4944]

I now want to place 3 signs outside of my house... :-)

[@ruukaoz]

the humor highlights the absurdity, but indeed its a heartbreak.

[@CS-mo7xp]

"no...my ...my mother didn't...do that". aha so she did really eh?! proper subtle acting there. this film seems really cool, especially the overly long title.

[@bazzoman510]

Great movie,a little bit too quirky for me in places,but hey that’s just my taste.

[@ridz216]

Fantastic movie, if you like In Bruges you will like it. Great acting and comedy moments, yet it's such a sad movie.

[@jamesalandixon]

It's very good but I think the praise has been slightly over the top.

[@Carlos-ln8fd]

Movie is awesome. I think the best film by McDonagh yet.

[@Ben_Mdws]

I was so impressed by this film. A rare instance of where if it had been, say, an hour longer I would have happily just sat and kept watching it.

[@Alpine_Joe]

Brilliant film. I’ll be surprised if I see anything better this year.

[@kelpkelp5252]

Are they inserting sound effects into this review?!

[@freddylubin]

Not so much that this was a bad film, it wasn't, but that it's a sign of how bad cinema has become, that anything that's made for adults and doesn't suck is proclaimed a masterpiece. This film didn't suck, but was seriously flawed.

[@mrbump28]

It is a masterpiece, in any era.

[@CycolacFan]

Having watched about eight reviews of films Mark hated I was starting to think that was the only style of review he did so considering this was a film I really enjoyed I was very wary watching this review, glad to hear he does like certain movies.

[@NickHunter]

His more ranty ones tend to get brought to the surface more

[@noticeddamian]

This film is fantastic,I belly laughed,I cried,the acting amazing.Best film I’ve seen in a while.

[@johnvicary9276]

Having recently dipped my toe in the movie review pond I just want to say Makr that you are where I hope to be in a few years - aspire to be - Quality Quality Great

[@mick9797]

A good movie was somewhere filmed but not edited together in my opinion. Suicide hasn't been so charming since "13 Reasons Why." Peter Dinklage is wasted and the way a great actor like him is treated is almost criminal. Nearly every character talks the same way. The new sheriff sees who has just thrown a man out a window in front of him and ignores it. The movie can not quite to figure it out precisely what it is. It is "different" therefore it must be brilliant. No. It's a mess with some good performances.

[@brendenkillough]

Would be very pleased if this wins Best Picture

[@garyabbot4659]

Watched it. Weird clash of childish jokes and systematic tender parts to remind us that it's also a serious drama. Mildred acts like a mafia hit woman with no repercussions, which is fine stupid movies. Woody's character is in the end just disposable. If was OK at best.

[@nazirkazi2588]

You haven't ruined birdsong. Birdsong is literally patch owners warning each other that they are big and brassy and will *birdsong* the others up if they try to encroach. Yes, them little birdies are effing and blinding in ways that would make your auntie blush: you know, not the good one but the one that no one talks about since the incident.

[@johngalantini6910]

Dyspeptic - What a fantastic word!!

[@ZodsSnappedNeck]

A bit off topic, but does anyone else think Mcdounagh bear a striking resemblance to Sting?

[@bdc2320]

Just saw it. It was an enjoyable movie. I wouldn’t call it spectacular though.

[@BillyRubin81]

A worthy best picture winner if it does win, would love to see Dunkirk win though and best director for Nolan but I reckon this will take it and screenplay. Hopefully Ladybird wins one of the big awards too it was great.

[@gremsa]

Just saw it. Blown away

[@65g4]

The film is so great still think it should have won best picture. I need to revisit the film again.

[@eblanedge]

really thought that this script wasn't very smart, kinda disappointing. frances mcdormand is fantastic though

[@chrishiggins7166]

Director Martin McDonagh delivers A very well acted, realistic, terrifically written, original & very thrilling crime drama. (95%) (5/5 stars) (positive)

[@nayden5834]

I Laughed, I cried, I cheered. It's a god damn Masterpiece imo. Impeccable writing, acting and direction.

[@johnvicary9276]

Birdsong to block out expletives Great stuff guys No scripts I assume Mark

[@stephenmalovski313]

If they wanna give the best picture to Three Billboards they will give it and Crash won't be the worst best picture anymore! it's a forgettable movie with some great performances that doesn't make any sense! We know that the police checked the DNA with all the possible suspects and there was strong evidence that the killer skipped town so that would make tge title billboards useless because in that case wouldn't be under chief Willoughby's jurisdiction but under the FBI

[@TheGil8ert]

5:12.... what IS that?

[@dargosinger]

Dyspeptic? I had to look that one up.

[@socciengulfed]

this movie is what movies should be more brilliant acting and story and less razzle dazzle

[@Rita-re3wx]

I couldn’t argee more. It’s a beautiful film

[@alexharmon77]

Anyone else find some of the acting a bit cringey? And some of the comedy a little too lazy and generic? Frances mcdormand was great as always though. A film of two halves for me: some great aspects, but LOTS of subpar stuff.

[@theevokeruser2356]

I saw this yesterday, i thought it was good. It was unpredictable and ambigious with many great performances and dark comedy, but at the same time I thought it was rather ordinary and standard as well.

[@arkansasfamily6088]

I loved this movie until towards the end. I guess it got a little too unrealistic for my taste (not saying others might not enjoy it). I think I was wanting it to be completely based on a true story. It made me want to find the story based on the three billboards the creator saw that inspired him to make the movie.

[@Listlesscheese]

Just sounds like an episode of Death in Paradise

[@JamiePowellCrazyJay]

I liked the film but wanted a extra 20 minutes for an actual ending to the film ........ great film but no conclusion ....and the whole use your imagination to end it cliche is just an excuse, a film needs a beginning a middle AND a end

[@goodial]

I pretty much expected it to end the way it did and I really mind. I actually think that showing more would've diminished the experience as it probably would've given a dissatisfying resolution ...

[@jackchilli]

Love the bird song.

[@mick9797]

I hated this movie. It feels like the director has never visited the place he is making a movie about. The new sheriff walks up on a man thrown out a window and beaten in the street and doesn't arrest him? Nearly every character talks the same way. Suicide is even more charming and cool here than it was in "13 Reasons Why." I'm not offended by much, but how he treats Peter Dinklage in this movie feels criminal. That dumb diatribe against the priest. No one speaks that way except in bad movies. Are we a comedy... are we this... are we that? Ehhh...curse a lot even when its weird and misplaced. I could never figure out why people loved "Boyhood." "This isn't as bad as that because its at least not mind numbingly boring. But it's in the ballpark. A movie that feels different, therefore, hey it must be brilliant.

[@Gos1234567]

Matthew Bailey Rockwell’s “redemption “ is daft aswell.He flips from racist violent moron stereotype to crafty yet forgiving vigilante,why? I think cos the guy he almost killed offered him a juice.

[@sarahr7890]

I usually listen to Wittertainment so I never realized how boring this must be for Simon.

[@emilio_mlx]

what was the one-shot sequence?

[@jaimemurphy2208]

Dude thrown out of the window

[@thomasmackean434]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZnJgpeCabtsfNE - Peter Dinklage's character is wholly good

[@gaijindeviant5385]

Excellent movie.

[@NxDoyle]

Frances McDormand is fierce.

[@michaelz9892]

Hated this film....totally overrated. The fact that Kermode didn't see the flaws in this film makes me question his ability to critique film.

[@highwind1991]

It's a brilliant film in parts. Great acting, some wonderful dialogue, heartbreaking moments and a teriffic ending. But, anyone that tells me that this is at the quality of In Bruges is crazy. That film has a perfect screenplay and all of the elements surrounding it support it beautifully. Three billboards has pacing problems in the first half, abbie Cornish can't seem to decide which accent her character is supposed to have, there are contrived moments that seem incredibly lazy, sam rockwell gives a great performance for an unnecessarily racist character with an unbelievable arc that is completely unearned. It doesn't seem to know what to do with its black characters in a film with racist characters, and it doesn't even try to give those characters a voice. The director Martin McDonagh never does more than one draft in his screenplays and it shows. Because this film needed at least two rewrites to be at the level of In Bruges

[@meggy0]

I totally agree about Abbie Cornish. I felt like she was good but shouldn't have talked. The South-stralian accent was bad and I surprised they let it pass, the 19-year old girlfriend did a way better job at her accent. I also felt like Dixon's character changed too quickly and should have faced more consequences, then again Mildred didn't face any consequences for drilling the dentist or setting the police station on fire.

[@switchmuso]

Rather disrespectful by the BBC crew; IMO.

[@alansbinnie1446]

Am I the only person who thought this was a far fetched pile of nonsense with over the top acting and a ludicrous denouement.

[@snakey973]

Such a good movie though

[@Number-hf2rp]

This movie had me laughing in some spots, a blubbering mess in others. I love it when art affects me on such a raw emotional level. And yes, movies are art.

[@maxolivermurray]

This movie was great. However it didn't know when or how to end imo.

[@lukejr.7785]

Max Oliver should’ve had a post credits scene