So, so hard to categorise this one. Whilst I’ve labelled it a ‘comedy/drama’, it kind of just doesn’t fit into any genre. It’s sort of black comedy, but… is it? It is very dramatic… but it is really a drama? I had no expectations whatsoever for Triangle of Sadness, and what I got was not what I’d bargained for even a little bit. The entire thing is pure, undiluted madness in the best way.
The film – split into 3 parts – begins with young models and influencers Carl and Yaya (Harris Dickinson and the late Charlbi Dean) on a date. In fact, the entire first act is pretty much just those two and establishing who they are. When they’re invited on a luxury cruise, part two begins. And oh boy, it really goes off the rails shortly after that. I can’t even summarise part three here without stepping into spoiler territory, but just know that you won’t see it coming even after the clusterfuck that is part two.
You know when you see a movie and your initial thought is “What. Did I. Just watch?” This film is the absolute pinnacle of that thought process. For one, Triangle of Sadness contains maybe the most violent vomiting sequence I’ve ever seen in a movie… and it’s nominated for Best Picture. I’m obsessed with that notion.
Never before have I been so surprised by the plot of a film. Yes, I went in blind, but did I expect even one of these twists and turns? Absolutely not. Just when I thought I knew what was coming, it went in the complete opposite direction. Thing is, the intense sea sickness scene wasn’t even the most bizarre thing about it (Abigail?!), but I really can’t go into any of it without spoilers. And I say that with more sincerity than perhaps ever before. My advice? Go in as blindly as possible because it’s probably the wildest cinematic ride I’ve been on for at least the last year.
Of course, the “Eat the Rich” theme has been running rife throughout cinema recently, but this movie is so completely bizarre that even if the idea isn’t all that fresh, it wholly entertains from beginning to end. Splitting the film so blatantly into three acts is actually a genius move too, since the film is so long. However, it never feels like a 147 minute movie because the pacing is so nailed on – it’s a whirlwind continuously that will force you to be glued to the screen.
Maybe it’s not technically groundbreaking; the camerawork, the lighting, the costuming, the cinematography… they’re all things you’ve seen before. What’s most impressive is that the whole film is such a mixture of high brow and low brow that it almost feels like if The Hangover was an art house movie. It’s so difficult to describe, but just know that’s definitely a good thing.
Piece all of this together with a whopper of an ensemble cast (which is mostly made up of relatively unknown actors, by the way), and Triangle of Sadness will cement itself in your brain as one of the most absurd, ridiculous Oscar nominees you’ll ever see.
Triangle of Sadness is currently available to rent on Amazon and the Google Play Store for £3.49 in the UK.
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Overall Enjoyability Rating: ½
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