Golden Globes 2018: 'Three Billboards' Faces Backlash Over Wins

Even director Martin McDonagh said his mother wanted "Lady Bird" to win.

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is getting a lot of attention on the awards circuit, and it picked up several wins at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards. McDonagh won for his screenplay; Sam Rockwell won Best Actor in a Supporting Role; Frances McDormand won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama; and the film itself won the big award of Best Picture – Drama.

"Three Billboards" hasn't been seen by "Star Wars" level crowds, but the people who have seen it have had strong love/hate reactions. In that respect, it may end up the most polarizing movie in contention. Like "La La Land" last year? Comparisons are already being made, even if the subjects are very different. (Maybe "Crash" is more apt.)

The Golden Globes screenplay award in particular bothered a lot of viewers, since the script was seen by many as "problematic" for a few reasons.

SPOILER ALERT

One of the biggest criticisms is about the writing of Sam Rockwell's character, Officer Jason Dixon, who is casually racist and violent, and still has an "unearned redemption arc."

Three Billboards winning best screenplay is like saying that Keira Knightley is the fattest person to ever live
— new year new meryl streep is an american actre- (@thedylonce) January 8, 2018

When Three Billboards wins against Lady Bird pic.twitter.com/TvgEJXn21g
— That's hella tight. (@AlannaBennett) January 8, 2018

sam rockwell wins for playing a racist cop and doesn't say anything about race, white supremacy. not surprising, since the movie, three billboards, also has nothing of value to say about race #goldenglobes
— Imran Siddiquee (@imransiddiquee) January 8, 2018

This article explains my hatred. So read it : https://t.co/RP3gBYyygD #GoldenGIobes
— tuckergurl (@tuckergurl) January 8, 2018

three billboards is really out here playing like it's in the same game as lady bird and hollywood is gonna let it wow the system is BROKEN
— ✍️ tsar wars (@aprikii) January 8, 2018

Three Billboards is... problematic. White Critics Love 'Three Billboards' Like They Love Their Racist Uncles https://t.co/udnhjSXG0P
— Lydia Polgreen (@lpolgreen) January 8, 2018

Three Billboards is not The Big Sick, Lady Bird, or Get Out. And that is a shame. ACADEMY PLEASE DO BETTER. #GoldenGlobes
— Olivia Truffaut-Wong (@iWatchiAm) January 8, 2018

If Three Billboards wins any screenplay awards I'm going to rent out a billboard that reminds everyone that the daughter screams at her mom, "I hope I get raped on the way," and then she does
That film is ????
— Stephen O'Neall (@soneall89) January 6, 2018

Gonna let it out. Three Billboards is one of the dumbest films to ever receive critical acclaim. It's dumber than American Hustle. And it might be the dumbest Best Picture winner since Crash.
— ᴅᴀᴍᴍɪᴛ ᴊᴜʟɪᴜs (@bigadultman) January 8, 2018

three billboards winning continuous awards pic.twitter.com/wCSPKmdDHv
— anna (@waltdisknee) January 8, 2018

Everyone hates "Three Billboards" and I will probably not see it or read a full explanation of the problem with it until it's won like eight awards, making it truly the "La La Land" of its era
— Sady Doyle (@sadydoyle) January 8, 2018

I'm not sure how a movie with Frances, Woody and Sam Rockwell manages to be so bad but I'm pretty sure my biggest issue with Three Billboards is the violent racist getting a redemption because he decides to do his fucking job #GoldenGlobes
— Redness (@HerRoyalRedness) January 8, 2018

I love Martin McDonagh's work but I hate Three Billboards so I muted his speech and looked at his beautiful face
— Ira Madison III (@ira) January 8, 2018

Three Billboards is one of the worst movies I've seen in the last year and I will die on this hill. I will die in a mawkish and disconnected and ham-fisted and overacted fashion.
— , like, really (@morninggloria) January 8, 2018

the script
was the worst part
of Three Billboards
— Michael Gold (@migold) January 8, 2018

Others defended the movie:

Three Billboards was amazing. Why the weird backlash? Baffling
— Lindsay (@Steele131) January 8, 2018

People hating on Three billboards, it is an amazing movie, you never know whats going to happen, Lady Bird screeplay was good, but not Three Billboards good.
— Danyel Viana (@DanyelViana1) January 8, 2018

Hot take: As great as LADY BIRD was, THREE BILLBOARDS absolutely deserved this award. In most other categories, LADY BIRD was better but the screenplay for THREE BILLBOARDS was a revelation
— James Preston Poole (@JamesPPoole) January 8, 2018

Just saw #ThreeBillboards. What a goddamn film. Devastating, complex and consistently (sometimes painfully) hilarious. It'll take some beating as the film of the year.
— Tom Reed (@AwkwardTreed) January 5, 2018

i swear to god, please watch three billboards, it is hands down the best movie of the year
— Loaf ???? (@loafofbread13) January 8, 2018

While y'all are pissed about Three Billboards, I'll be over here muttering how In The Fade is mediocre at best. Just ignore me.
— Brian Tallerico (@Brian_Tallerico) January 8, 2018

Say what you will about THREE BILLBOARDS (and you people have said a lot), I've been a Sam Rockwell fan for two decades, and I'm thrilled to see him finally recognized for his talent and hard work. #goldenglobes
— Noah Gittell (@noahgittell) January 8, 2018

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is the best movie of the year, anyone who says otherwise is wrong. If you haven't seen it, go see it. It's possibly the darkest, yet funniest film I've ever seen.Well deserved #GoldenGlobes #ThreeBillboards
— Colin Lenburg (@lenburg_colin) January 8, 2018