I've come across many films where my feelings were at odds with the general public, the critics, or both. But usually, I can at least understand where the other side is coming from. With Three Billboards, I am left completely and utterly baffled at how this assterpiece could have been nominated by the Academy for Best Picture and stands with a higher imdb rating than many titans of cinema, with its own spot on the top 250 movies of all-time.

For my part, it was one of the worst films I've ever seen: a B-movie soap opera in plot, melodrama, acting, and scene set-up (go watch the scene with the ex-husband in the breakfast room for a shining example of all these elements, though about half the scenes in the movie would serve for a demonstration as well!). You could tell this was made by a European who has no personal experience with American sociopolitical issues while trying to make a profound point out of them, and from all the non-politically laced sections, the esteemed director appears to be missing a chunk of understanding for the general human psyche as well. In other words, this movie is a social commentary drama wherein the filmmaker fails to grasp the most fundamental aspects of either of those genres.

I have been unable to find a positive review that sounded as if the reviewer watched the same thing I did. Maybe some day I will come across that elusive review, and I will at last be able to cipher the inexplicable praise behind Three Billboards. But, missing that perspective-altering view at present, I will drop my little 2/10 pebble into this ocean of positive reviews, and hope that enough sane people will come along soon and help me tug this film down to a more worthy rating.