Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

A riveting, compelling film shot near Asheville, NC, and in downtown Sylva, NC.

Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell do the heaviest lifting, but the entire cast hits it out of the park.

For instance, Lucas Hedges, who had an integral role in MANCHESTER BY THE SEA proves that that focused work was no accident; Peter Dinklage has a wonderful turn as James, "the town dwarf," Sandy Martin as Momma Dixon, Clarke Peters (who will always be Lester in "The Wire" for me) as Abercrombie, lent strong weight to the story as the new sheriff in town, John Hawkes as Charlie, Zeljko Ivanek (who some will recall from HOMICIDE) as Desk Sergeant ... it is a long list of measured, keen performers at the top of their game that bring to life Martin McDonagh's script, who also directed.

Thus, nothing was lost in translation.