With only a few days to spare, I finally saw the film that seems to be the front-runner for the Best Picture award this Sunday, with three acting nominees in two categories. Unlike some other reviews, I'm going to begin here with some of the themes that can be discussed in relation to this movie, rather than saving that for the end. These include coping with loss, abuses of power from those in authority, revenge, forgiveness, racism, gender dynamics, rape and sexuality, the healing nature of love over hate, and more. This film is LOADED with topics that can be helpful for any discussion, including those based on faith and Christianity's role in all of these areas.

So, this movie centers around a mother, Mildred (Frances McDormand), who is fed up with there being no progress being made on the case for her daughter's rape and murder. She decides to rent out these billboards to call attention to this, and names the police chief, Willoughby (Woody Harrelson), who is actively dying from pancreatic cancer. There is also a bigoted and violent policeman named Dixon (Sam Rockwell), who goes through some transformation throughout. The film also includes perhaps the best actor of our time, Peter Dinklage, who plays a southern used car salesman and all-around nice guy.

I can't really wrap too tight a bow up on any review because 1)it could completely spoil and 2)the film really doesn't wrap up in any meaningful way, so it really is an uncomfortable and acute slice-of-life film that calls to attention so many of the problems currently rearing their heads in American society.