Down Time: Movie Review of “Triangle of Sadness”
Nominated for Best Picture in 2023, there are so many things in this movie that I wanted to like but just could not. Self-sabotage isn’t a pretty thing to watch, but often, just when this film is about to make a point, the director chooses to HAMMER YOU OVER THE HEAD with his point instead of making it in a subtle fashion.
“Triangle” is not shy when trying to make a point. Hate rich people? Oh, you’re going to love this movie. Hate “influencers” and “capitalists” and “people who take vacations on yachts?” Do I have a movie for you! The plot revolves around Carl, a male model, and his girlfriend, Yaya, an “influencer.” I would say it’s about their relationship and making it work, which is a point belabored at length in the first thirty minutes of the film, but I’m not so sure. At times, it just feels like they’re the pretty, easy to look at couple that lets the filmmaker set up the hijinks to come later. “Watch these pretty people—I’m going to put them through hell because they’re rich and white.”
Great, go for it. They go on a vacation on a yacht and things go badly. That’s all I’ll say about the plot, which is very thin and only serves as the barest skeleton for the real meat of this film - social commentary. Step right up, folks, and listen to these zingers!!! “Rich people bad.” “Communism good.” “Capitalism bad.” Fashion lines treat their customers with disdain. Money is the root of all evil. People will be horrible to each other most of the time.
That said, there are a few things to like here, but the film is not one of the top 10 films of the year. I liked the skewering of “influencers” and their endless narcissistic need for attention. And they LOVE money – at one point, a man takes a woman’s jewelry off—and you’ll get it when you see it.
The flip at the end with Carl is a fun point to make, but it feels like it takes WAY too long to get there. And it’s too on the nose. Somehow, this movie has too little to say and takes way too long to say it. Also, I would be remiss in not mentioning the death of the lead actress, Charlbi Dean, who tragically passed away before the film was released. She was excellent in her role, and we have been robbed of an actress with a long career ahead of her. She will be missed.
“Triangle of Sadness” meanders and preaches and can’t seem to get to the point. And then, when it does, the film subverts it in an interesting way that had me sit up and pay attention. Wait, what? Are they trying to say something in the end about power and how it corrupts everyone, even when a poor person happens to find themselves in an advantageous situation? I understand “rich people bad,” but it also feels like they’re saying “poor people bad,” too? Is that possible? I don’t understand what they’re trying to say here. “All people bad?” Well, that’s not very helpful, is it? You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it.
Oh, and the movie has one of those endings that I really hate: they “leave it open to interpretation.” It’s supposed to feel mysterious but just feels like a cheat. As a writer, I know how easy it is to set up intriguing situations—and just how hard it is to pick ONE conclusion. Leaving it open to the reader—or film viewer—always feels like they are taking the lazy way out…
