 From horror writer and director Christopher Smith (Severance, Creep) comes a unique concept psychological thriller that turns the genre on its head. When Jess (Melissa George, Grey's Anatomy) sets sail on a yacht with a group of friends, she cannot shake the feeling that there is something wrong. Her suspicions are realized when the yacht hits a storm in the Bermuda Triangle and the group is forced to board a passing ocean liner to get to safety. The ship appears deserted, but Jess is convinced she's been on board before. They soon realize they are not alone... Someone is intent on hunting them down, one by one. Storyline: When Jess sets sail on a yacht with a group of friends, she cannot shake the feeling that there is something wrong. Her suspicions are realized when the yacht hits a storm and the group is forced to board a passing ocean liner to get to safety, a ship Jess is convinced she's been on before. The ship appears deserted, the clock on board has stopped, but they are not alone... Someone is intent on hunting them down, one by one. And Jess unknowingly holds the key to end the terror. Written by Icon Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Dustin Somner on February 6, 2010 -- One of the difficult aspects of writing a review is listening to that little voice in the back of your head that constantly whispers "don't spoil this for the readers". We always do our best to heed the warning and provide as little detail as possible (when warranted), but sometimes we stumble across a film that almost can't be discussed without revealing too much. Such is the case with Triangle, the latest film by 40-year-old writer/director Christopher Smith (his prior directorial effort was the deliciously wicked Severence). Combining elements of Memento, Ghost Ship, and every film in the last year starring a villain wearing a burlap sack, the production takes a mind-bending trip down nightmare alley, while revealing one clever twist after another. It certainly isn't the best thing since sliced bread, but once you dig into the heart of the story and begin the twisted journey through a mysterious ocean liner, you'll find it easier to shrug off potential plot-holes as mere casualties of creativity and simply appreciate the experience for what it is. Jess (Melissa George) is the single mother of an autistic son, who struggles to get by as a waitress at a local diner. After several visits by a local playboy named Greg (Michael Dorman), Jess agrees to accompany him and his friends on a sailing adventure aboard his yacht. Along for the ride are Greg's deck hand Victor (Liam Hemsworth), his brother (Henry Nixon), snooty sister-in law Sally (Rachael Carpani), as well as Sally's friend Heather (Emma Lung). With champagne in hand, the unlikely crew of six hit the high seas for some rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, the trip is soon cut short with the arrival of sudden storm that leaves Heather lost at sea, and the remaining vacationers standing atop a capsized boat. Turning around, they discover a massive ocean liner bearing down on them, with a mysterious figure peering over the edge of the top railing. Assuming the ancient vessel is their ticket back to civilization the five remaining survivors board the luxury boat and begin an exhaustive search for the mysterious figure they saw earlier. Jess is the first to suspect something is wrong, as she develops a sinking suspicion she's been on the boat before. Can Jess solve the puzzle before it's too late, or will time defy her every move and rob her of the life she once knew?Before I go any further, you should know the provided synopsis doesn't even scratch the surface of the true story behind Triangle. Giving away anything more would be a huge disservice to those interested in the film, and effectively ruin the first half of a highly effective plot structure, so I've merely provided the set-up for the meaty section of the film. Unlike your typical suspense/horror offering, Triangle weaves a simplistic plot with a cerebral structure that demands your utmost attention. Within the first half hour I expected the same shallow drivel that's continually spoon-fed to the masses under the guise of entertainment, but by the time we enter the landscape of the ocean liner and experience the first "Ah ha" moment of the film, it becomes abundantly clear this is far greater than expected. Writer/director Christopher Smith reportedly spent two years working on the story, so we can rest assured this isn't simply a cash-in project with little lasting value. Every twist of the plot and nuance in the character reactions required painstaking levels of planning to fit within the mold of the sequential events that follow. Before long, it becomes a voyeuristic study of intense human reaction, littered with visions you'll find difficult to get out of your head. The shock value in the production never centers on gore, but gives us an unflinching front-row seat to a nightmare in progress.With the realization of 3-D technology and prior "gimmicky" productions such as Return to House on Haunted Hill, the increasing goal in Hollywood is centered on ramping up audience participation. After all, the best films are capable of pulling a viewer in and remove any thought of the real world until the closing credits roll. Triangle accomplishes that goal without the use of non-traditional methods, and does it in a way that automatically requires a repeat viewing. It takes so long for the viewer to fully realize the extent of the journey down the rabbit hole, that by the time we understand the depth of the situation, it's already too late. Bits and pieces will remain in your mind, nagging at you with questions of how they fit within the structure of the plot, but until you watch the film a second time, you're not entirely sure you know how each element is playing off one another. This probably sounds like a huge paragraph of mumbo-jumbo to anyone who hasn't seen the film, but if you decide to make the plunge, rest assured there will be plenty of reason to give it a mandatory second spin.For the record, there are some events that don't entirely make sense within the framework of the plot, but I'm sure a lengthy discussion with fellow fans of the film might shed some light on possible explanations. If I could offer one recommendation to anyone willing to ride the rollercoaster of Triangle, I'd suggest you watch it with someone else. It takes two brains working in tandem to effectively dissect the complete package, and I'd imagine most groups will spend the better part of an hour talking in circles as they attempt to decide whether the film makes sense or not. Triangle is the type of film you can't get out of your head. The acting isn't the greatest, the plot delves into territory that requires a stretch of the imagination, and the special effects are occasionally weak, but once you find yourself thoroughly engrossed in the complex twists and turns, those minor quibbles seem unimportant. Do yourself a favor and get lost in Triangle. Cast Notes: Melissa George (Jess), Liam Hemsworth (Victor), Michael Dorman (Greg), Rachael Carpani (Sally), Emma Lung (Heather), Henry Nixon (Downey), Joshua McIvor (Tommy). IMDb Rating (07/31/14): 6.9/10 from 42,539 users IMDb Rating (02/06/10): 6.7/10 from 2,939 users
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
