On a mostly unused road just outside of a small Missouri town, an angry, grieving mother (Frances McDormand) erects three billboards chastising the local police department for not apprehending the rapist who murdered her daughter a year prior, which leads to backlash from the town, its terminally ill police chief (Woody Harrelson) and an overzealous, half witted deputy (Sam Rockwell). Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards is an unsubtle black comedy journey into misery imperfectly but profoundly meshed with dramatic elements, with resolutions that buck Hollywood cliches and are uneasily arrived. McDormand is superb in one of those roles she has mastered: imbuing grief, anger, humor, and humanity, and Harrelson and Rockwell are excellent in support, both creating three dimensional characters while providing comic relief.

**** out of ****

Inspired by the news story of local serial killer and the egging on of his live wire best friend (Sam Rockwell), who makes ends meet by kidnapping pooches at the local park and collecting the reward money, an alcoholic, hack screenwriter (Colin Farrell) begins his latest project: an existential rumination on a band of seven disparate and deranged lunatics whose bizarre happens more than closely mirror the even odder occurrences of the film. Writer/director Martin McDonagh follows up his freshman triumph "In Bruges" with this violent, self-aware, quirky, though not quite as fun effort which reunites him with Farrell, who is more subdued though still excellent in his role. Rockwell steals the picture as expected (I don't know how this guy is considered top Hollywood brass) and has the movies funniest scene. an extended monologue where he acts out what his ideal finish to Farrell's movie would be. Woody Harrelson and especially Christopher Walken fill in supporting roles nicely with funny comic turns. "Seven Psychopaths" moves in fits and starts, and is clunky in parts, but it strives to be something different, and is mostly entertaining on its own terms.