"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" And Moral Ambiguity | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

We Need More Moral Ambiguity

It lasts the entire length of the movie, and, frankly, it's shocking and confusing.

98
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jit3YhGx5pU

I only just recently had the opportunity to watch one of the best movies of 2017, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." You may or may not have seen or heard of it, but I don't think enough people were aware of the theme and focus of the film.

In "Three Billboards," all of the characters are morally ambiguous from the start. It lasts the entire length of the movie, and, frankly, it's shocking and confusing.

The plot centers around the rape and murder of a young teen girl, Angela Hayes. Almost seven months after the murder, there are still no arrests, and Angela's mom, Mildred Hayes, is fed up with the whole situation, and the police department in particular.

Mildred decides to rent three billboards outside of town that lines up along one of the roads, which happens to be where Angela was murdered.

The first billboard reads, "Raped while dying," the second, "And still no arrests," the third, "How come, Chief Willoughby?"

This, of course, causes some trouble with the police and some people within the town. Throughout the movie, the main interactions are shown between Mildred, the chief of police, and one of the police officers, Dixon.

I've never seen a movie with as much focus as this — and it's clear where the focus is from one of the very first scenes with Mildred, played by Frances McDormand.

After staring at the three, worn billboards for a few minutes, Mildred goes into the marketing office that owns them. During her conversation with the salesman, Red, she asks about what words she's not allowed to legally put on the billboards.

I'm not going to repeat those words here, but in short, this makes her character gruff and raw.

As she moves to the window of the office, the camera shows a close-up of a black beetle struggling on it's back. The audience is given the feeling, from the conversation, her looks, and the tone, that Mildred is going to squish it.

Instead, she gently helps it back on its legs. This small action, although insignificant to the ultimate storyline, reveals the intentions of the writers and director — the theme of moral ambiguity.

Throughout the movie, the audience is shown the worst and best in each character; this even includes the "villain" of the story, Officer Dixon.

Although this is a little controversial, because of how the film makes the audience sympathize with a racist, ignorant cop, I think it was done very well — and more movies should be made with this premise in mind.

While there are a lot of overly-dramatic, violent movies and shows out there, none quite strike a chord as precisely as "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."

This movie feels closer to life in terms of "morally gray areas." Every real person has good and bad mixed in, so there shouldn't be any reason why characters in movies, books, or TV shows are simply "good" or "bad." This film's perspective feels fresh, invigorating, but also very confusing and conflicting.

Usually, it's very easy to decide which characters to love or hate, but "Three Billboards" makes it incredibly hard. By the conclusion of the film, you'll find yourself questioning what you would do in desperate circumstances — and you won't be able to decide which character you hated more.

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is available to buy or rent on services such as: YouTube and Google Play, but is also available to watch with an HBO subscription.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

101529
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

18086
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

17000
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments