# Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 26, 2017, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758 "2017-11-26T16:15:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/61 "2018-01-26T16:21:40Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Some people liked the movie; some people hated it for its racism and other misanthropy. Could it be that some of those who liked it, liked it _because it fit their own misanthropy_? :eek: To quote myself earlier: > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > And then I realized I was the bad guy, too. In your thought, some of those people may have thought that they themselves were the good guys. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/62 "2018-01-26T19:25:11Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > In your thought, some of those people may have thought that they themselves were the good guys. :eek: Those good guys are seriously hoping Best Supporting Actor Oscar votes for racist Sam Rockwell and rapist Woody Harrelson somehow cancel each other out. I suppose it would be fitting for the non-misanthropes to finally get to laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/63 "2018-01-26T19:31:04Z")
> [@eunoia](#): > > Those good guys are seriously hoping Best Supporting Actor Oscar votes for racist Sam Rockwell and rapist Woody Harrelson somehow cancel each other out. I suppose it would be fitting for the non-misanthropes to finally get to laugh. I have absolutely no idea what this means. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/64 "2018-01-26T19:55:04Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I have absolutely no idea what this means. Don’t let that stop you from making a judgement. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/65 "2018-01-26T20:27:56Z")
I guess we should never have movies about Nazis or Muslim terrorists because how dare we show people in movies who aren’t all puppy lovers. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/66 "2018-01-26T22:59:54Z")
But not THAT kind of puppy lover. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/67 "2018-01-26T23:01:22Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I have absolutely no idea what this means. Only misanthropes would celebrate racist or rapist characters. If neither of those roles is rewarded, non-misanthropes can feel good. ?? ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/68 "2018-01-28T22:14:57Z")
We saw this last night. Knew we had to see it but were concerned it would be too much of a downer. Yeah, there’s some pretty ewwww parts, but they’re bearable and the whole thing is quite worth it. I have been a big fan of McDormand, Harrelson and Rockwell for some time. Always thought Rockwell in particular was underrated. Two things bothered me about the story (both Dixon related) [spoiler]Nothing immediately happens to Dixon after he smashes up a place, throws a guy out the window, kicks him when he’s down in front of a bunch of people, and then repeatedly admits it. Doesn’t anybody on this police force do anything? Even when Abercrombie fires him, it’s not clear if this incident was part of the reason for that. The turnaround of Dixon after the fire just doesn’t hold. Guys like this don’t make changes like that.[/spoiler] Dinklage did a very good job with his redneck-ish accent. Factoids: Two of the young actors in this film are also in _Lady Bird_. Resume building at work. The only two black men of note in the movie were also both in _The Wire_. Love Lester. And a mystery. What movie/TV show did I see that also used _The Last Rose of Summer_? Nothing at IMDb or [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Rose_of_Summer) helps. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/69 "2018-01-28T22:48:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Two of the young actors in this film are also in Lady Bird. Resume building at work. And Timothee Chalamet, who is nominated for Best Actor for Call Me By Name, is also in Lady Bird and Hostiles. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/70 "2018-01-29T01:16:05Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Two of the young actors in this film are also in _Lady Bird_. Resume building at work. Lucas Hedges already has an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor for last year’s Manchester By The Sea on his resume! > [@ftg](#): > > And a mystery. What movie/TV show did I see that also used _The Last Rose of Summer_? First thought was the Nina Simone documentary, doesn’t look like it, second thought Boardwalk Empire? It isn’t on either soundtrack album but it was a long series with much incidental music. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/71 "2018-01-29T01:24:42Z")
Not pertinent to the thread, but speaking of Boardwalk Empire and resume building, Michael Stuhlbarg is in **three** nominated movies this year: Call Me By Your Name, The Post and The Shape of Water. Kinda makes one wonder what he has to do to earn a nomination 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/72 "2018-01-29T02:17:29Z")
Also regarding this year’s most controversial subject: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have not “corrected” the capitalization of the longish preposition in the work’s title. The tide may be changing, keep the faith everyone, we can win this war! 😛 (Frighteningly, however for those who remember **last year’s** most controversial subject, that same webpage features some [inconsistent typography](https://imgur.com/gallery/4Ixic).) ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/73 "2018-01-29T02:34:50Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > And Timothee Chalamet, who is nominated for Best Actor for Call Me By Name, is also in Lady Bird and Hostiles. And Caleb Landry Jones, who was the kid who owned (or at least managed) the billboards, is also in _Get Out_, which, if I have my way, will take home Best Picture at the Oscars. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/74 "2018-01-30T07:32:23Z")
> [@DooWahDiddy](#): > > And Caleb Landry Jones, who was the kid who owned (or at least managed) the billboards, is also in _Get Out_, which, if I have my way, will take home Best Picture at the Oscars. He’s also in The Florida Project, for which Willem Dafoe got a Best Supporting Actor nomination this year. One to watch? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/75 "2018-01-30T20:18:58Z")
> [@eunoia](#): > > He’s also in The Florida Project, for which Willem Dafoe got a Best Supporting Actor nomination this year. One to watch? Not if Willem Dafoe is in it. YMMV. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/76 "2018-01-31T06:10:08Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Not if Willem Dafoe is in it. YMMV. 😉 I’ve seen The Florida Project, I meant Caleb Landry Jones may also be an actor to watch. In The Florida Project, however, it’s a very small role supporting the supporter. Willem Dafoe really isn’t even a deal breaker here, the movie isn’t really about his character, except as a kind of witness to the story. His nomination however was brilliant because now members of the Academy get one of the top films of 2017 in their screeners, and won’t seem so oblivious. I apologize for again straying from Ebbing. Why is the town called Ebbing? What about it is ebbing exactly? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/77 "2018-04-12T18:18:27Z")
Bumping because I saw this movie recently and, like most in the thread, loved it. > [@ftg](#): > > The turnaround of Dixon after the fire just doesn’t hold. Guys like this don’t make changes like that. It worked for me, although I agree it strains suspension of disbelief. His turnaround wasn’t after the fire, it was before. It was when he read the letter from Willoughby. Willoughby was a father figure to him, and the letter was a message that dad wasn’t impressed by his bluster or violence or hate, but that he saw his capacity to love and be truly great. And then, when things are on fire, he saves the file for the Hayes girl. Because he has a mission to solve it now, not just go to war over the slight to the chief. Yeah, such turnarounds are rare, but the dying words of someone you revere can make a big impact. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/78 "2018-04-22T20:17:19Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > We saw this last night. Knew we had to see it but were concerned it would be too much of a downer. > > Yeah, there’s some pretty ewwww parts, but they’re bearable and the whole thing is quite worth it. > > I have been a big fan of McDormand, Harrelson and Rockwell for some time. Always thought Rockwell in particular was underrated. > > Two things bothered me about the story (both Dixon related) > > [spoiler]Nothing immediately happens to Dixon after he smashes up a place, throws a guy out the window, kicks him when he’s down in front of a bunch of people, and then repeatedly admits it. Doesn’t anybody on this police force do anything? Even when Abercrombie fires him, it’s not clear if this incident was part of the reason for that. > > The turnaround of Dixon after the fire just doesn’t hold. Guys like this don’t make changes like that.[/spoiler] > > Dinklage did a very good job with his redneck-ish accent. > > Factoids: > > Two of the young actors in this film are also in _Lady Bird_. Resume building at work. > > The only two black men of note in the movie were also both in _The Wire_. Love Lester. > > And a mystery. What movie/TV show did I see that also used _The Last Rose of Summer_? Nothing at IMDb or [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Rose_of_Summer) helps. I saw it last night and wondered the same thing about your spoiler. Even the deleted scenes didn’t explain it. I felt the same way when Mildred torched the police station and everyone knew it. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/79 "2018-04-25T22:28:23Z")
[quote=“ftg, post:68, topic:802758”] Nothing immediately happens to Dixon after he smashes up a place, throws a guy out the window, kicks him when he’s down in front of a bunch of people, and then repeatedly admits it. Doesn’t anybody on this police force do anything? Even when Abercrombie fires him, it’s not clear if this incident was part of the reason for that. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I saw it last night and wondered the same thing about your spoiler. Even the deleted scenes didn’t explain it. Any confusion on this point is probably the fillmaker’s intention. Abercrombie is shown on the street as a witness to the defenestration, first as a bystander, then as a man with a badge whose authority is unclear. He next moves towards the victim on the street before the scene cuts away to Mildred at home hearing the news of Willoughby’s death on TV, but the very next scene is Abercrombie entering **his** police station for the first time, establishing his authority, and firing Dixon. There’s no reason to believe the firing wasn’t immediate and a result of Dixon’s actions. It is true that Dixon’s colleagues did nothing, but are shown clearly falling in under Abercrombie. (Compare Mildred, who no longer respects any authority.) ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758/80 "2018-05-27T10:57:43Z")
How did she know the guy was from Idaho? She said she was planning to go there before Dixon showed up and told her the guy was from Idaho. Did I miss something? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri/802758.md?page=5)