Oscar Contenders: All the Signs Point to Oscar Gold for McDonagh’s ‘Three Billboards’

By Jason Owen 2 min read

Oscar Contenders: Three Billboards — Source: Fox Searchlight

Writer and director Martin McDonagh has become a cult favorite for movie lovers with such films as In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, each of which has earned him high critical acclaim, but little recognition when it came to the Academy Awards. But it seems this year McDonagh may strike Oscar gold with his new film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Three Billboards is the story of a grieving mother, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), whose daughter was raped and murdered seven months ago. The police have so far been unable to find a culprit. Frustrated, Hayes takes matters into her own hands and purchases space on the three blank billboards leading into town. She paints a critical message of the town’s revered Sheriff William Willoughby (Woody Harrelson), and when Willoughby’s second-in-command gets involved, the unhinged Officer Dixon (Sam Rockwell), the battle between Hayes and the law becomes increasingly more violent.

Since its debut, Three Billboards has won widespread acclaim. Christopher Orr of The Atlantic calls the film a “revelation,” and “among the very best films of 2017.”

NPR’s Bob Mondello calls it, “One of the most invigorating black comedies Hollywood’s come up with in years.”

The Chicago Sun Times‘ Richard Roeper said, “This is the best movie I’ve seen this year.”

Those in the industry would tend to agree. Three Billboards has so far become a favorite for awards season. It picked up four nominations for the Screen Actor Guild Awards, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast, Outstanding Performance for a Female Actor for McDormand, and Harrelson and Rockwell will compete for Outstanding Performance for a Male Actor.

Three Billboards then landed six Golden Globe nominations, second only to The Shape of Water. It’s up for Best Drama, Best Actress for McDormand, Best Supporting Actor for Rockwell, Best Director for McDonagh, who also received a nod for Best Original Screenplay, as well as Best Original Score for music.