Okay, going on my Oscar nomination tour and watched this one last night.

Acting = A+. Cast was great  - particular shout out to Sam Rockwell.

Dialogue = A- - there were some great lines! A couple of forced ones here and there.

Plot = first half of movie = A. Second half = F!.

There are so so many plot holes and major ones:

SPOILERS: SPOILERS; SPOILERS:

- Why doesn't anyone care to really investigate the firebombing of a police station and the burning of a cop.

- Why does a woman (Mildred) who would do anything to find the murderer of her daughter not follow up or even seem to give a shit when a strange dude who alludes to being the murderer shows up and threatens her in her very own shop????

- Why wouldn't a cop be charged for nearly beating a man to death? Or even investigated for that matter?

- Why the misdirect on the rapist out of the country?

etc. etc. etc.

It went off the rails for me when Mildred went from a determined woman to a bomb terrorist. I loved the acting and the dialogue - sadly - I can not recommend.

My girlfriend has been wanting to see this, so we finally decided to last night.

To say I was shocked and even appalled, is an understatement.

I agree wholeheartedly with everything Dave said in his review, but I also want to touch on the dialogue.

There's alot of very smart, witty, black comedic dialogue going on and even on a single watch, you can tell that alot of time was taken to come up with the dialogue, but...and this is a very big but...the amount of cussing and downright mean and vulgar words and phrases was off putting to me, and that's coming from a guy who always includes profanity and the like and enjoys it in movies as well.  Just too much for me, and it got old very fast.

Another thing I want to touch on is the characters here.  One can easily say there are a ton of very deep characters on display.  There definitely are, but then again, 98% of every character is a total A-Hole, total Beeyatch, or total idiot.  Sometimes all of the above.  Mean spirited peeps for no reason that I could see, other than just wanting to be mean.

The characters are also overly violent, and I mean way overly violent.  The level of violence on display, as well as some violence that isn't shown but totally implied, is pretty crazy, if you think about it.  To me, out of place and just over the top.

Reviews call this a black comedy, and I get that, but maybe I just don't appreciate black comedy, as I just can't buy in to basically anything that was going on here in a semi serious way.  And that's a problem for me, as things were so "serious" throughout, I just don't really find the comedic elements to be all that funny.

It's a stellar cast and all perform very well.  It's a crazy plot and story, though, and for me, a letdown overall.  No way would I recommend this aor want to see it again.

Grade - C

But what did your girlfriend think?  :D
... Just kidding.

Haven't seen this yet. Doesn't sound like it'll be much up my alley either, based on your reviews.

A lot of so called black comedy can in fact be just too dark, hiding under the guise of snappy lines and misplaced wit.

I have a problem with comedy where people get hurt or it's at someone's expense, so I don't like my chances.

Still going to watch it in an impartial way, but appreciate the reviews.

Quoted from LC But what did your girlfriend think?  :D ... Just kidding. Haven't seen this yet. Doesn't sound like it'll be much up my alley either, based on your reviews. A lot of so called black comedy can in fact be just too dark, hiding under the guise of snappy lines and misplaced wit. I have a problem with comedy where people get hurt or it's at someone's expense, so I don't like my chances. Still going to watch it in an impartial way, but appreciate the reviews.

Will be interested to see your view - I watch so many acclaimed movies these days and end up thinking - was it just me???

Quoted from LC But what did your girlfriend think?  :D ... Just kidding. Haven't seen this yet. Doesn't sound like it'll be much up my alley either, based on your reviews. A lot of so called black comedy can in fact be just too dark, hiding under the guise of snappy lines and misplaced wit. I have a problem with comedy where people get hurt or it's at someone's expense, so I don't like my chances. Still going to watch it in an impartial way, but appreciate the reviews.

Girlfriend said she liked it, but I could tell she really didn't.  She also said it was different, and that it is for sure.

She did stay awake through the entire thing, so that is saying something, as she's notorious for not making it through anything at night.

I agree with you, Libby about not liking comedy when people are being hurt or at someone's expense and this happened over and over throughout the entire movie.

Quoted from eldave1 I watch so many acclaimed movies these days and end up thinking - was it just me???

I watch so few acclaimed movies because I rarely ever like them or can even get through them.

It's kind of funny, as I love the horror genre and very few horror movies are actually "good" movies.  My girlfriend hates horror movies and asks me routinely why I like them.  I tell her they're entertaining to me and the reason we watch movies is to be entertained.

Movies like this are not entertaining to me, even though I know they are actually "good" movies.  I was upset, depressed, and said out loud, over and over, every single one of these characters are complete dirtbag, scumbag, assholes, and for me, that's not entertaining.

It's not a bad movie. It's actually a good movie IMO. However, I thought it could have been a lot better with some changes.

I didn't like the dialogue. I agree with Dave, it was too forced at places, which is a theme in Martin McDonagh's movies for me. It feels like he's trying too hard to be witty. Wit should be effortless to those that have it.

When I opened this I thought it was a spoof. Missouri, Dave.

Since I’m here I’ll chime in. Characters and dialogue were great. Fantastic acting all around. It was the clear leader of the bunch for best picture in my opinion. Was surprised when it lost. I was let down at the ending, though. It really left a bad taste in my mouth and that’s never a good thing. I won’t watch it again, but glad I did once.

James

Quoted from jwent6688 When I opened this I thought it was a spoof. Missouri, Dave.

;D
Ha! Good one, James.

I have to say I understand all the flaws in this, but it provoked me and sent me on an emotional roller coaster ride, which is why I loved it and why I watch these gritty hard hitting movies and horror so much... I can't handle real roller coasters so i get my thrills in the safety of a cosy chair....

The music was perfect, I love Francis McDormand, the scene from Sam Rockwell listening to abba to getting a visit from the Police chief, i felt was brilliant... I have watched that movie so many times. The ending was a let down for me, but as I see it, it made up for it with its vibrant characters, hard hitting scenes, dialogue and music...