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Hi there. This is my first review of a current release:
. Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri.

Although I' m a newbie here I really have enjoyed the spirited exchange of ideas, so feel free to add your comments re: this movie, if you like.

Rating: C plus.

Review: When I was a young girl, a small group of us went trick or treating on Halloween. There were only a few of us that year because it was cold and drizzly, but we made our rounds and soon each of us had two full shopping bags brimming with treats.You may surmise that these were the days when children could safely roam their hometown on Halloween; and you may even surmise that it was long ago enough that we toted bags of heavy-duty paper. Alas. So when I stopped to rest, I put my bags down, without forethought-, which is not so unusual at the age of 8 or so- on the wet road. Of course when I picked up my bags by the handles, all the candy slipped out the soggy wet bottom. Onto the muddy road. Irredeemably so.

This true life story of my youth flashed to my mind after seeing this movie: which began with such promise. Strong performances from the superlative Frances Macdormand and the others- surprisingly effective acting of depth from Woody Harrelson, and all parties. Lovely backdrop of scenery, not of Missouri apparently, but of the quietly lyrical mountains of North Carolina. Cinematography was also skilled, and the music apt- I was pleasantly surprised to see the songs of Townes Van Zandt: a songwriter s songwriter-listed in the credits. The premise was a grabber, the characters involved you from the get go , and the pacing and storyline seemed on board to be a classic , both as a mystery thriller, and a character study evaluating the profound questions of the human condition.

And then, somewhere along the line, the bottom fell out and all the candy spilled out and lay wasted in the mud. For me it was about 2/3 of the way in. Why, I thought, would anyone even use billboards in the age of the Internet, to rouse interest. Why did these character s personality 'evolve' suddenly and implausibly and as often as not, devolve again. Why should anyone even care about these people at all. The universal appeal of most of the characters just waned as the movie wore on, and I could no more 'suspend disbelief' of the preposterous and draining plot , than if a cat started singing Figaro and playing the tuba outside my doorstep. My companions felt the same about the ending, trite and unsatisfying.
And for those unfamiliar with the director, as I was, the gratuitous violence made me turn my head more than once.

Why this received such high acclaim is beyond me. I do think Frances M has an Oscar nomination in her future, perhaps even from this film, but I hope she finds another vehicle for her exemplary talents. But this movie, imho , wasn't the one I d like to remember her for.



Keep your station clean - OR I WILL KILL YOU
Great review! Love your voice, it was very intellectual, yet easy to follow.

I actually really loved the film, although I think your points are very valid. I did find the ending unsatisfying as well, and the transition from the second act to the third was rather shaky, but I sill love the character aspects of the film.



“Sugar is the most important thing in my life…”
This movie is more polarizing than TLJ!!!



Thank you for your comments Luis (especially on my ' voice ' that was nice to hear), I thought this early review of mine was 'lost in space' so I m glad you rescued it from cyber oblivion. And I trust I didn't throw a bucket of cold water on your appreciating the movie. The irony is, I'm glad I saw the movie, it s the type of film that draws my attention and despite what I saw as its flaws- I would feel I missed out if I didn't see it,and glad I watched it in the theatre as well.

Has this been a polarizing film, dd? Haven t read a lot of reviews but it got some positive support at the Golden Globes. But I suppose a few of us had some disappointment in it.

Luis, if we haven't overloaded you with enough suggestions , may I suggest one more film that is in a similar vein, which I found to be much more successful?l It is The Last Detail with Jack Nicholson. A small gem of a movie that I can watch again and again.
On the surface these two movies are different. but have a some similarities jmho. Detail is sort of a 'buddy movie' about two lifer sailors and their hapless charge they are forced to escort out of the navy Both movies deal with ordinary people leading quite unglamorous lives, and trapped in the sort of unresolved injustice of life that happens to folks without connections and abundant means Both are as much character studies as storylines. Both have characters who demonstrate nuanced and unexpected grace, emerging from so called unheroic ordinary people. (Woody H btw really got to my heart with his last acts )But Detail' keeps the characters' integrity intact, and every small movement of the unassuming plot reinforces the humanity of each of them. (including a great moment from Jack in regards to who is the shore patrol) The end of the movie has a real resolution, not a mystery or panacea. but a closure that makes sense. Hope you have seen it, or will see it sometime. Meanwhile- thanks for your thoughtful comments and please continue to enjoy your cinematic journey



Keep your station clean - OR I WILL KILL YOU
Thank you for your comments Luis (especially on my ' voice ' that was nice to hear), I thought this early review of mine was 'lost in space' so I m glad you rescued it from cyber oblivion. And I trust I didn't throw a bucket of cold water on your appreciating the movie. The irony is, I'm glad I saw the movie, it s the type of film that draws my attention and despite what I saw as its flaws- I would feel I missed out if I didn't see it,and glad I watched it in the theatre as well.

Has this been a polarizing film, dd? Haven t read a lot of reviews but it got some positive support at the Golden Globes. But I suppose a few of us had some disappointment in it.

Luis, if we haven't overloaded you with enough suggestions , may I suggest one more film that is in a similar vein, which I found to be much more successful?l It is The Last Detail with Jack Nicholson. A small gem of a movie that I can watch again and again.
On the surface these two movies are different. but have a some similarities jmho. Detail is sort of a 'buddy movie' about two lifer sailors and their hapless charge they are forced to escort out of the navy Both movies deal with ordinary people leading quite unglamorous lives, and trapped in the sort of unresolved injustice of life that happens to folks without connections and abundant means Both are as much character studies as storylines. Both have characters who demonstrate nuanced and unexpected grace, emerging from so called unheroic ordinary people. (Woody H btw really got to my heart with his last acts )But Detail' keeps the characters' integrity intact, and every small movement of the unassuming plot reinforces the humanity of each of them. (including a great moment from Jack in regards to who is the shore patrol) The end of the movie has a real resolution, not a mystery or panacea. but a closure that makes sense. Hope you have seen it, or will see it sometime. Meanwhile- thanks for your thoughtful comments and please continue to enjoy your cinematic journey
Sorry I missed this! I didn't get the notification and I was actually checking back to see if you had any new reviews.

I will watch The Last Detail because it actually sounds like something I enjoy, and seeing how fondly you speak of it.

Can we expect any more reviews coming from you? I'm very curious on what you've seen lately and your thoughts.



Your story reminds me of nearly every Dean Koontz book I've cracked open (I've given the dude a lot of chances).

I haven't actually heard of the film until I read this post and watched the trailer.

Nice review, will watch the film.



You can't win an argument just by being right!

I haven't actually heard of the film until I read this post and watched the trailer.
No! Do you live in a lil po dunk town where the internet drop out and tv fades to grey every time a puff of clowd blows over, Toose?

It's a great movie. It;s also an awesome review, Lady.



“Sugar is the most important thing in my life…”

Has this been a polarizing film, dd? Haven t read a lot of reviews but it got some positive support at the Golden Globes. But I suppose a few of us had some disappointment in it.
I didn't see TLJ, my sister gave me the spoilercast though. I could probably dive into our thread, but I want to try to see it at the 2nd run cinema first. The activity in that thread would seem to indicate a lot of back and forth.

3B's ranged from people loved it, to those really trouncing it. It's strange to see a "mainstream" movie that evokes such strong sentiment on both sides...without involving a rabid fanbase that has film inspired bodyart.



No! Do you live in a lil po dunk town where the internet drop out and tv fades to grey every time a puff of clowd blows over, Toose?

It's a great movie. It;s also an awesome review, Lady.
Just me and 2.3 million others



Hi there. Haven't been seeing many films lately(listening to music more these days) , so I 'll hold off my reviews a bit, but please 'stay tuned' -I'll also be back to comment on your posts, which I so appreciate. Thanks for your comments!