demands justice for her murdered daughter by confronting the local
authorities with a message they can’t miss.
Directed by
Martin McDonagh Starring Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam
Rockwell, Peter Dinklage
this one out of the #1 slot for this year’s list. Stunning, almost
beyond description. Emotional, human, visceral, worthy of study by
writers, directors, and actors. The kind of movie that leaves you
sitting over your drink with a stunned look on your face. All because
it was just so perfect.
At the center of it all is the
amazing performance by Frances McDormand. I have been a McDormand
fanboy since “Fargo”. She’s on the list of actors that will
make me stop and watch any movie. If she’s in the cast, I’ll give
it a shot. Here she brings us Mildred Hayes, mother of a teenaged
daughter who was raped and killed. Rather than a character consumed
with anger. Hatred and revenge, McDormand gives us a woman dominated
by grief and anger who remains human. The one man in town at the
focus of her anger is Sheriff William Willoughby (Harrelson). But at
the moment when he is at his most vulnerable, McDormand shows us the
heart and soul of a mother. It’s an amazing moment in an amazing
movie.
Rockwell. The sheriff offers some posturing and bravado before his
world crashes in on him. His performance matches McDormand’s in its
humanity and depth. Then you have Sam Rockwell.
Let’s
take a moment to consider Sam Rockwell in macro. He may be the most
overlooked actor of his generation. I’m aware that he is not an
unknown. I’m aware he’s won three Screen Actors Guild awards, a
Golden Globe, a BAFTA and an Oscar. And I still don’t think he gets
the praise he deserves by the public. Versatile, able to disappear
into a role, can handle broad comedy and high drama. He’s on that
must watch too.
Here, Rockwell is the cowboy deputy with
anger issues. The sheriff believes in him and smooths over his
smaller missteps. This could be a stock character in a lesser actor’s
hands. Rockwell gives us more depth, more pain, and more nuance than
we have any reason to expect.
Add in Peter Dinklage in a
small but important role and the cast takes a great script and fills
every corner of the story. With Oscar-winning director Martin
McDonagh (In Bruges) guiding them, it’s a classic from top to
bottom. Even the final scene offers a wonderful moment and a great
final line of dialogue.
I’m telling you, this will be on
the Best of 2020 list here. At the moment, I’ve seen nothing
better.
– ***** Highest Recommendation
Stories Are My Life 
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