Triangle Of Sadness – Review

The word sadness may appear in the title, but this is the most outrageous, irrelevant, non-sensical and wickedly funny movie you’ll ever care to see and at a running time of just over 2.5 hours you’ll surprisingly wish there was more!

It’s a bizarre movie as exemplified in the opening 20 minutes which involves a young couple firstly discussing then fiercely arguing over who should pay the lunch bill at a fine dining restaurant. The fascination of this film lies in not knowing where it’s going especially after this long and drawn out opening sequence, which should give audiences a good indication of the madness that’s about to unfold.

Basically a satirical black comedy concerning the wealthy, capitalism, and materialism, the hilarity lies in the extreme level of absurdity and the intensely awkward situations which these characters are placed in.

The colourful madcap characters are quickly introduced in this multi-layered film which is divided in three parts; the fashion world, the yachting experience and marooned on a deserted island.

The cruise sequence may unsettle sensitive audiences, many of whom may never travel on an any form of sea craft again after witnessing the exaggerated yet effective explosion of human fluids aboard the yacht. The cruelty applied to these characters is enjoyably obnoxious as they experience the worst possible voyage on a sea craft since The Titanic, resulting in audiences with warped senses of humour laughing out loud hysterically.

Themes explored are the relationship between power and beauty, equality, and class reversals, leaving audiences with several messages, the most significant being that we may live in a world of hierarchy but people should be treated respectfully regardless of status.

Woody Harrelson is the most recognisable actor to Australian audiences, playing the role of the unhinged yet strangely likeable captain, and is supported by an ensemble cast of predominantly European actors.

Triangle Of Sadness is a Palme d’Or winner, Best Film at the Cannes Film Festival and was written and directed by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Ostlund who also wrote and directed the equally bizarre satirical Academy nominated The Square in 2017.

The uninhibited nature of this film and its unconventional structure with sharp yet witty dialogue should transform this into the most talked about and must-see film of the year. Take the plunge – come aboard this luxury yacht and ‘enjoy’ the voyage to lunacy!! There’s no doubt that audiences should be jolted by this extremely engaging cinematic experience.

★★★★1/2

In Cinemas December 26