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Veteran actress Frances McDormand once again throws her bonnet in the ring for the upcoming Oscars. Four times nominated and a winner with FARGO, Ms. McDormand gives an over-the-top portrayal of an embittered housewife whose world has collapsed around her. Set in a bucolic town in Missouri (actually filmed in North Dakota), the film peels away layers of anger and mistrust fomenting in some of its citizens. Woody Harrelson exhibits all the qualities you don't expect from a small town lawman and Sam Rockwell, as a bigoted momma's boy with a gun and badge, may be the most compelling character of all.
Beautifully filmed and ably acted, director Martin McDonagh shows us many twists and turns in the lives and thoughts of these small town inhabitants. He does not, however, draw any conclusions from the random and contradictory actions portrayed on-screen. That part is left to the viewers.