[lucideer]

> but I knew nothing about it

You're probably better off not knowing - any attempts at serious commentary on that conflict by the film didn't land well with anyone more informed. It's an enjoyable, likeable film, but cultural or political insights aren't McDonagh's strong points.

I also really liked Three Billboards, though I heard it received similar criticisms for its clumsy portrayal of US political themes (which I'm more distant from).

[prepend]

As a USian, I thought that Three Billboards was nuanced and not clumsy at all. Having grown up with racism everywhere, I find it interesting that there’s not much art that shows the complexity of racism where it isn’t nazi-esque monsterism of pure evil, but also banal and pervasive. The portrayal of the super racist sheriff who does some good reminds me of a horrible family member who comes through when there’s a death. Or a broken clock being right twice a day.

I didn’t read any criticisms of the film that seemed serious to me. I didn’t seek out too many reviews but probably read a dozen that boiled down to “portrayed racists in positive light” and that just seemed to not understand the film much at all. But there may be more detailed and nuanced criticism that I haven’t seen.

[lucideer]

> "portrayed racists in positive light"

The specific critique I recall being levelled at it in this context was more "racist has apparent redemption arc by helping white people, despite never addressing/showing remorse for past acts of racism", which doesn't seem as simplistic.

Personally I didn't come away feeling the character was redeemed anyway, so if that was intended as a redemption arc I missed it. But mostly I just didn't treat it as serious political commentary & just enjoyed the witty writing & delivery.