December 10, 2022
FILM: TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
DIRECTED BY RUBEN OSTLUND
STARRING HARRIS DICKINSON, CHARLBI DEAN, WOODY HARRELSON
RATING: 4 OUT OF 4 STARS
By Dan Pal
Swedish writer/director Ruben Ostlund makes films that defy convention and expectation. His two previous features, Force Majeure and The Square, are two of the most original dark comedy social satires that explore relationships, art, and commerce. Now comes Triangle of Sadness, which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It’s a big ride of a film that explores class, socialism, power, money, and the fashion world. But even saying that doesn’t fully reach all of the juicy themes and adventures the film has in store.
The opening scene features a bunch of shirtless male models attempting to impress fashion judges. Right from this scene it’s clear that Ostlund is interested in exploring how surface level pleasures are given value within our culture. One has to move right and look the part. Following this, one of the models, Carl, played by Harris Dickinson gets into an argument with equally attractive girlfriend Yaya (played by the late Charlbi Dean) over a restaurant tab. It’s an extremely telling discussion about gender roles and Yaya’s desire to maintain them even if she makes more money than Carl.
Soon they are off on a prized yacht cruise. While Yaya examines her Instagram account and poses for the latest photo for her followers, Carl reads Ulysses, a clear telling that this relationship is in trouble. They are traveling with other rich types who are equally shallow about everything but money. The conversations in the yacht are disturbingly hilarious. Essentially everyone is playing a role, including the members of the staff who are told to do whatever is asked of them so they earn a “big tip” at the end of the trip.
Then the yacht hits some very bad weather and waves and, well, to say more would spoil so many of the jaw dropping pleasures the film has to offer. One worthy of mention though is Woody Harrelson as the reluctant and inebriated captain who gets into a major discussion about Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism on the ship’s loudspeaker with one of the wealthy passengers. Needless to say, complete pandemonium ensues, no thanks to him, and the tightly controlled world is completely dissolved.
Ostlund seems very interested in exploring the notion of power and greed. His characters yearn for it. What happens though when situations turn dire? How well does all of it hold up? Does power remain in place? Is it reversed? Where does materialism ultimately get you? Is there a cycle to money and power? Ostlund explores all of these questions in some very unique ways.
The script is at times extremely witty and the direction often moves into slapstick at some of the most inopportune times for the characters. All of them are well-developed even when they remain on the surface. We know who these people are in society. The actors who portray them are top notch, especially Dolly De Leon as Abigail, a hard-working member of the ship’s cleaning crew whose role takes a big turn later in the film.
I could name a host of films and television series that seem echoed here from Luis Bunuel’s The Discreet Charm of the Bourgoisie as well as his The Exterminating Angel to Titanic, Lost, and The White Lotus. But this film is hardly derivative of those works. Ostlund’s social commentary and delicious characters standout in what is truly one of the most unique cinematic experiences this year. It’s unpredictable and wildly adventurous.
Triangle of Sadness is currently playing in limited theatrical release and is available to rent on Amazon Prime.
FILM: TRIANGLE OF SADNESS
DIRECTED BY RUBEN OSTLUND
STARRING HARRIS DICKINSON, CHARLBI DEAN, WOODY HARRELSON
RATING: 4 OUT OF 4 STARS
By Dan Pal
Swedish writer/director Ruben Ostlund makes films that defy convention and expectation. His two previous features, Force Majeure and The Square, are two of the most original dark comedy social satires that explore relationships, art, and commerce. Now comes Triangle of Sadness, which won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. It’s a big ride of a film that explores class, socialism, power, money, and the fashion world. But even saying that doesn’t fully reach all of the juicy themes and adventures the film has in store.
The opening scene features a bunch of shirtless male models attempting to impress fashion judges. Right from this scene it’s clear that Ostlund is interested in exploring how surface level pleasures are given value within our culture. One has to move right and look the part. Following this, one of the models, Carl, played by Harris Dickinson gets into an argument with equally attractive girlfriend Yaya (played by the late Charlbi Dean) over a restaurant tab. It’s an extremely telling discussion about gender roles and Yaya’s desire to maintain them even if she makes more money than Carl.
Soon they are off on a prized yacht cruise. While Yaya examines her Instagram account and poses for the latest photo for her followers, Carl reads Ulysses, a clear telling that this relationship is in trouble. They are traveling with other rich types who are equally shallow about everything but money. The conversations in the yacht are disturbingly hilarious. Essentially everyone is playing a role, including the members of the staff who are told to do whatever is asked of them so they earn a “big tip” at the end of the trip.
Then the yacht hits some very bad weather and waves and, well, to say more would spoil so many of the jaw dropping pleasures the film has to offer. One worthy of mention though is Woody Harrelson as the reluctant and inebriated captain who gets into a major discussion about Communism, Socialism, and Capitalism on the ship’s loudspeaker with one of the wealthy passengers. Needless to say, complete pandemonium ensues, no thanks to him, and the tightly controlled world is completely dissolved.
Ostlund seems very interested in exploring the notion of power and greed. His characters yearn for it. What happens though when situations turn dire? How well does all of it hold up? Does power remain in place? Is it reversed? Where does materialism ultimately get you? Is there a cycle to money and power? Ostlund explores all of these questions in some very unique ways.
The script is at times extremely witty and the direction often moves into slapstick at some of the most inopportune times for the characters. All of them are well-developed even when they remain on the surface. We know who these people are in society. The actors who portray them are top notch, especially Dolly De Leon as Abigail, a hard-working member of the ship’s cleaning crew whose role takes a big turn later in the film.
I could name a host of films and television series that seem echoed here from Luis Bunuel’s The Discreet Charm of the Bourgoisie as well as his The Exterminating Angel to Titanic, Lost, and The White Lotus. But this film is hardly derivative of those works. Ostlund’s social commentary and delicious characters standout in what is truly one of the most unique cinematic experiences this year. It’s unpredictable and wildly adventurous.
Triangle of Sadness is currently playing in limited theatrical release and is available to rent on Amazon Prime.