Triangle (2009)
By Shane Rivers
Some motion pictures are as light and airy as the popcorn you purchase at the concession stand. Triangle isn’t one of them. Instead, viewers will find a serious thriller meant to bend their minds and continually challenge their expectations. That’s heady stuff compared to the usual fare found on the straight-to-DVD market or the latest generic horror remake from Platinum Dunes.
Jess (Melissa George) is a weary single mother trying to raise her autistic son, Tommy (Joshua McIvor), but the strain of caring for a special needs child is beginning to wear her down. Looking for a much-needed break, she agrees to accompany possible love interest, Greg (Michael Dorman), and his pals for a day of sailing. But after a brief period of fun and sun, the wind comes to an abrupt stop and a massive electrical storm rolls in out of nowhere. A mysterious distress call is received, the storm hits, and the surviving members soon find themselves huddled on top of their now-capsized vessel (named Triangle, in case you’re wondering as to the film’s title).
A passing ocean liner happens along, and the group clambers aboard to find a ship that‘s seemingly deserted. As they explore the eerie corridors and cabins, a bizarre series of discoveries are made, culminating in the arrival of a masked figure wielding a shotgun. The body count begins to rise from there, with Jess desperate to survive and be reunited with to her son.
There’s actually quite a bit more to the plot, but I don’t want to be accused of unleashing those dreaded spoilers. Just rest assured that the shotgun-wielding maniac isn’t the strangest thing in Triangle…not by a long shot. And the whole thing isn’t a dream, so don’t worry about Bobby Ewing showing up in the shower for the final act.
While the film’s gimmick gives it a unique flavor, it’s the performance of Melissa George as Jess that really seals the deal. Pale-skinned and wearing a look of perpetual worry, we can see from the beginning that she’s overwhelmed. But there’s also something going on beneath her harried exterior, something indefinable yet horribly wrong. And unlike 99% of the heroines in horror/thriller films, Jess’ character continues to be fleshed out until the end credits roll. Some of the revelations will disturb you, possibly even make you angry, but they’re all presented in a logical framework that adds to the film’s overwhelming sense of regret and loss.
The previously mentioned plot twist does border on tiresome at times, but I credit director Christopher Smith for continually finding ways to peel back yet another layer and once again draw in the viewer. His work during the film’s final 20 minutes is especially noteworthy, adding a new perspective to what has come before. And he’s no slouch in the visual department, giving us piles of rotting corpses (being picked apart by gulls, no less) and long, lonely shots of abandoned ship corridors.
Marketing Triangle as a horror film is a bit misleading, however, as it falls more into the psychological thriller category. Sure, there’s plenty of death to be had, but the killings are done with far less creativity than your average slasher flick, and the supporting characters don’t stick around long enough to create a meaningful connection with the audience. This is Jess’ story, and anyone else is just fodder (including Liam Hemsworth, the younger brother of Chris).
If you‘re looking for something different, Triangle will provide a nice change of pace from screaming teens and disfigured madmen. While it does seem overlong at 99 minutes, it’s charged with emotions rarely found in the genre, and Melissa George’s performance can be enjoyed time and time again.
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This Triangle movie review is copyright 2009 Small World Marketing and Shane Rivers. This Triangle review should not be reprinted without the permission of the copyright holders.
This movie review of Triangle expresses the opinion of the author only. Other Triangle movie reviews are available online, and some of those might or might not express different opinions on the movie. Like those other Triangle movie reivews, this Triangle review is intended for the entertainment and education of the reader. This Triangle movie review is provided as is with no warranty or guarantee implied.
