Saturday, September 16, 2017

TIFF 2017: Three Billboards Outside Epping, Missouri



Three Billboards Outside Epping, Missouri takes what at its heart is a dark story full of conflict, violence and nastiness, and injects it through and through with humour, yielding an outstanding film that is touching and sad, and that makes us feel for almost all the characters in it, even some who start off seeming to be total dicks. That seeming contradiction will make more sense when I tell you that its star-studded cast starts with Frances McDormand (as Mildred Hayes, the mother of a girl who was raped and killed), and includes Woody Harrelson (Sheriff Willoughby), Peter Dinklage and Sam Rockwell. Mildred rents 3 billboards and puts up signs asking why there has not been an arrest in her daughter's killing, putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the popular Sheriff Willoughby. This sets much of the town and most of the police department against her, though Willoughby accepts his responsibility and emerges as a caring, sympathetic guy.

The story takes several unexpected turns as Mildred deals with her grief, her anger, her guilt, and issues with her ex-husband and son, while other characters surprise us in numerous ways. It's a little weird, very wonderful, and the strange blend of emotions works really well. Highly recommended, and one of the best films I've seen at this year's festival.

TIFF 2017 Overview

No comments:

Post a Comment