CHRISTOPHER SMITH’S inventive and unsettling thriller Triangle is almost certain to become one of those talked-about, must-see cult favourites.

The British film, which has been well-reviewed but slipped under the radar at the box office when released last year, comes out on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on March 1.

Because it’s better if you don’t know too much about it first (although it’s still interesting to re-watch subsequently), I’m going to give only a scant account of the storyline.

Triangle packshot.jpgSmith’s previous directing credits include his entry in the slasher/gorno genre, Creep, (which was too visceral for my tastes); and a comedy horror flick in the form of Severance.

Thankfully, the filmmaker resorts more to atmosphere and suspense in Triangle, though there are shocks and violence along the way.

Filmed in Australia but set in Florida, the basic premise is that struggling single mum Jess (Melissa George) cannot shake the feeling that something is wrong when she agrees to go on a sailing trip with a group of friends.

The yacht encounters unusual weather and then a seemingly deserted ocean liner, with Jess’s nagging unease and growing feeling of deja vu moving inexorably towards a horrible realisation.

Jess has an autistic son Tommy, played by Joshua McIvor. Joining her on the boat are her boyfriend Greg (Michael Dorman), young sailor Victor (Liam Hemsworth), married couple Downey and Sally (Henry Nixon and Rachael Carpani) and Sally’s friend Heather (Emma Lung). (Superhero fans should know that Liam is the brother of Chris Hemsworth, who is playing Thor in Kenneth Branagh’s film, and had also auditioned for that role).

When I first saw this release, I was bothered by oddities in events and behaviour near the start of the film – which seemed at the time to be done purely for effect – but rest assured they are accounted for by the time the credits roll.

If, however, you’re looking to be spoonfed with exact explanations, you won’t find them. Revel in the abstract atmospherics instead. You’ll become aware of what is going on but Triangle leaves you thinking, making you ponder what could happen next (within the film and after it finishes) and rewind your mind over what you have just seen. In that respect, it’s refreshing and a great discussion piece for film fans.

A Greek mythological reference gives a sort of hint to the goings-on while there are nuances of The Shining and also of other ghost-ship tales on occasion.

With its title taken from the name of the yacht, and also undoubtedly a reference to the Bermuda Triangle, this maritime mystery is well worth investigating.

Director and screenwriter Christopher Smith said: “I have always loved movies that play with structure and time, like Memento and Reservoir Dogs. And I wanted to employ those techniques in a psychological thriller narrative.

“The idea came first and then I had to write a story and the characters around the concept – a Twilight Zone idea really.

“I’ve grown up loving horror movies but I wanted this to be something more than that. It doesn’t work just to scare you; it also works to make the audience really think.”

Melissa George’s previous credits include 30 Days of Night, the remake of The Amityville Horror, Dark City, Mulholland Drive, Derailed and a memorable guest appearance as a lesbian nanny in Friends.

Special features on the DVD and Blu-ray include: The Making of Triangle, Audio commentary with director Christopher Smith; three storyboards; deleted scenes; competition winners poster design; The Storm special effects featurette.

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February 16, 2010 by admin • Triangle