Awards season is about to start its big push. We still have Steven Spielberg’s historical drama, The Post, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread – which just so happens to be Daniel Day-Lewis’s last movie as well – on the horizon. But there’s been plenty to enjoy so far in 2017, a year of big movies and small movies and some tremendous movie moments in both. You may have forgotten about some of these – stuff moves pretty fast these days – so this Turkey Day, here’s 12 movie moments to be thankful for in 2017…
7Mildred’s Takedown of Father Montgomery in THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
There are many, many things to love about Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards. It’s difficult to say who is better in their respective roles between Frances McDormand as the grieving mother, Mildred, Sam Rockwell as the dangerously stupid deputy Dixon, and Woody Harrelson Chief Willoughby. On top of that, picking a single moment from a film so rich with “moments” feels like a slight on the rest of the movie, but here we are.
Mildred allows Father Montgomery to tell her what she needs to do with the offensive billboards. Patiently, she waits, letting him wield his false power. But she waits less like a snake and more like a lion allowing her prey into the den before pouncing and ripping the prey to shreds; because when Mildred eventually pounces, she doesn’t let up until she’s damn near flayed the patriarchy of the entire town in one fell swoop.
