The movie is McDormand’s to own

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hand. The middle- aged, slightly paunchy, hard- edged Willoughby is married to the beautiful Anne ( Abbie Cornish), who speaks with a trace of an Australian accent. They have two wonderful little girls. The Willoughby we see at home is a far cry from the Willoughby cracking heads as the police chief.

Then there’s Mildred’s ex- husband, Charlie ( John Hawkes), now shacking up with 19- year- old Penelope ( Samara Weaving, hilarious in a small part), who says she’s reading a book about polo or is it polio. Which one is about the horses, asks Penelope. And in one of the most verbally vicious and funniest rip jobs ever seen on film, Mildred politely listens to the local pastor’s suggestion she take down the billboards and frequent Mass more often, and then proceeds to explain in cringe- inducing language why the good father can take his suggestions and, um, leave her house. Harrelson and Rockwell are the standouts in the supporting cast, but this movie is McDormand’s to own, and of course we shouldn’t be surprised that she carries the story with fierce, foulmouthed, abrasive, ferociously loving heart. Mildred would be the first to admit she’s not an easy person. Often we’re not convinced she’s even a good person.

Three Billboards provided some of the strongest laughs and some of the most poignant moments of heartbreak of any movie in recent memory. This is the best movie I’ve seen this year. at

By arrangement with Asia Features