Alien at the Movies

An unsolved murder case prompts a mother (Frances McDormand) to place a controversial message on 3 billboards questioning the work of the local police department. This drama/dark comedy by writer/director Martin McDonagh ("In Bruges" & "Seven Psychopaths") is a fascinating film about a mother's pain & suffering over the death of her daughter & the inability to find some closure. McDormand is perfectly cast as the tough determined woman who doesn't take sh*t from anyone. You will feel her anger, pain & frustration. Woody Harrelson & Sam Rockwell are members of the accused police force. It's a clever script that will draw you in with its interesting characters & mess with your head with some turns of events. Police brutality, racism, domestic violence, rape, murder, arson, suicide, aiding & abetting, child abuse, and assault & battery are issues involved but are countered with a sly & ironic sense of humor to break the tension. This quirky film may not be for everyone due its language & violence. However, it's an entertainingly unpredictable script as you don't know where this emotional roller coaster is taking you.

Alien gives it 3 "there's always 2 sides to a story" stars out of 4.