Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Triangle (2009)

Confession: I'm a sucker for a book or movie that has fun with time-and-space conundrums. I am very forgiving of the inevitable plot holes so long as they're not too glaring, and the problems explored have enough interesting angles to hold my interest. On those terms, Triangle, an Australian-British co-production, more than fits the bill. It's one fun ride.

The plot setup couldn't be any simpler: A group of friends and new acquaintances set out on a sailing expedition off the coast of Florida. The boat's owner has invited a local waitress, Jess (Melissa George), to join them for the outing. All is fine until a fast-moving squall looms on the horizon. The storm turns out to be devastating to the small crew.

Fortunately, a large passenger ship, the Aeolus, passes close by once the storm clears, and the crew is able to leave their overturned boat for what seems to be their only hope. What awaits them there is far stranger than anything they could've guessed. To say more than that would be to reveal too much about an intricate plot, and Triangle really should be seen.

Writer-director Christopher Smith (Creep, Severance) has created a nice twist on the Bermuda Triangle weirdness angle, creating a suspenseful movie that never lets up until its full-circle conclusion. George was a wise choice for the lead; she brings a sharp focus and emotional gravity to the role of Jess.

There are indeed a few holes in the plot, but those are easily overlooked. Triangle is a fun, exciting chiller from start to finish.

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