Triangle Of Sadness
Welcome to Breakout, the MASSIVE scheme sending 12 first-time writers to London Film Festival to write their debut professional film reviews. For the 12 days following the 12 days of the festival, we’ll be publishing the writing of our chosen stars to celebrate cinema at its finest and introduce you to the next generation’s most promising new critics.
Surprise! We’re ending the scheme with a lucky thirteenth review with everybody’s favourite eat-the-rich satire, Triangle Of Sadness. Here’s Nottingham’s Spencer Cunningham with the definitive take on it.
A meat market of men doing their best to get noticed is a fitting piece of imagery to begin Triangle of Sadness, a titillating story of desperation and self-preservation, designed to make the viewer uncomfortable and enthralled from the opening scene to its very last.
The themes of class conflict, egotism and downright vanity make the camera a window to the heart of the film. The dinnerware is already strewn carelessly about the dining room from a rocky ship, a vision of bodies in the water echoing the image of the staff attempting to have fun. It’s cruel yet beautiful visual storytelling.
Triangle Of Sadness’ satire of vanity is paramount to understanding the film. Camera flashes, phone clicks and the desperation to look good in the direst of circumstances emphasise the vile, shallow depravity these people continue to abide by.
Woody Harrelson’s Captain Smith demands immediate attention from the second he steps into focus. While the actor never steals the show; he never needs nor intends to. The captain’s jaded attitude makes him feel like a representation of the viewer, unable to take anything around him seriously, full of sage commentary and humour.
Dolly De Leon plays Abigail, a toilet cleaner with a past she uses to her advantage. Her performance is one of the best of the year as she indulges in Abigail’s desperation, frustration and arrogance. There is not a single scene with De Leon that is without charisma or charm.
Triangle Of Sadness is nothing short of a satirical masterpiece. It’s here to tell you the ship we’re living on is capsizing.
Triangle Of Sadness is out in UK cinemas now. Check back here for more Breakout reviews.