Martin McDonagh
Tre Manifesti a Ebbing, Missouri

Finally, I have watched the much-acclaimed third work of Martin McDonagh. I had been waiting for it for a long time, after having greatly appreciated "In Bruges" and (a bit less, but still thoroughly enjoyable) "7 Psychopaths".
Masterpiece. McDonagh is the worthy heir of the Coen brothers and Tarantino. While the other three disappointed with their latest films ('Hail, Caesar!' and 'The Hateful Eight'), good old Martin directs (in an almost gentle, humble, and excellent manner at the same time) and scripts a film of rare power. Personally, it stirred many things and emotions in me, and there will hardly be another movie on its level this year. The screenplay is the true highlight. The unfolding situations, combined with the character development and brilliantly written dialogues (rich with black humor), make it one of the best things Hollywood has produced in recent years. The balance between drama and dark comedy is perfect. Remarkable characters like the furious mother (Frances McDormand) or the bigoted cop, who is not as idiotic as he might seem at first (Sam Rockwell), are defined as few are. Even the supporting characters have their characterization, despite the few minutes available, like the young girlfriend of the protagonist's ex-husband, the boy who rents the billboards, or the dwarf who feels something for McDormand's character. The ending is beautiful and fitting, absolutely appropriate and not clichéd.
The cast, what can I say. Everyone is in a state of grace. Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and especially Sam Rockwell, who will finally achieve the deserved success at 50, as he has always been somewhat in the shadows until now. Sure, he did "Moon", "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", "The Green Mile", and many others, but he has often been overlooked by major awards and productions as a leading actor. All the supporting actors are excellent, particularly Peter Dinklage, the great John Hawkes, and Caleb Landry Jones, who will go far. Also note the talented Zeljko Ivanek, who has appeared in all of McDonagh's films.
Kudos also to the soundtrack. Subtle and not at all intrusive.
It's mid-January, and do we already have the best film of 2018? In my opinion, there will hardly be another one that measures up. This is my view, but objectively it is undoubtedly a small great quality film.