#CANNES22: “TRIANGLE OF SADNESS” REVIEW

Review by Amanda Gilmore

Fashion Model-Celebrity couple Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) are having problems…money problems. The main issue is that they have too much of it, which causes issues when it comes to bill time. The truth is, Yaya makes more than Carl but she’ll never pay. While in this rut in their relationship, Yaya’s influencer status gets them a free trip on a yacht. It’s there they meet their fellow uber-wealthy, upper-class, white privileged passengers. However, when they hit a stormy, turbulent night these rich elite are left stranded on an island.

Writer-Director Ruben Östlund’s latest is a biting, hilarious Satire on the privileged. He does this in three parts. The first is entirely focused on Carl and Yaya. As the bill sits on their table, Yaya becomes engrossed in her phone until Carl offers to pay. This results in one of the longest fights over money on-screen. Östlund, with the help of the brilliant Dickinson and Dean, creates an engrossing argument on Feminism and currency. It’s a hilarious section in this smart Film that sets the theme of money and hierarchy. Additionally, it shows a different side to Dickinson that allows him to show off his comedic side, which he excels at.

Once we arrive in the second part, we are introduced to a range of characters. Such as an elderly couple who sells grenades and Russian fertilizer magnate Dimitriy (played by the incomparable Zlatko Buric). It’s in this section that the majority of the hysterical moments happen. The things these characters say to each other and the staff on board (which resemble those from the Reality Show Below Deck) are shocking. It’s in this section that Östlund’s themes come through.

He touches on the privilege that comes along with having wealth in comparison to those who work on the yacht. The edits show the jarring difference in the lives of the passengers and employees. Triangle of Sadness through and through is a riot, however, there is one segment that remains a standout.

It takes place between the Captain (Woody Harrelson), a drunk who spends a lot of time in his cabin, and Dimitriy. As the yacht rocks during the Captain’s dinner and passengers are projectile vomiting everywhere (yes, there are some serious, although uproarious scenes in this second part) the two exchange quotes. Captain spews Socialism quotes while Dimitriy is an advocate for Capitalism. Harrelson and Buric are outrageously funny. Could easily watch them as these characters for days on end.

The Final Act of Östlund’s unmissable Satire has the rich stranded and incapable of providing the necessities to survive. Remember, they pay people to take care of them. But lucky, or unlucky, for them there is one capable crew member who survived — Abigail (Dolly De Leon). Onboard she was the cleaning manager but on this island, she becomes the boss. It’s a perfect way to sum up all of Östlund’s themes. Having the upper-class succumb to someone they believe is below them. De Leon not only runs the island, but she steals the entire third act and runs away with it.

Triangle of Sadness is unforgettable, nailing every beat and then some. The Ensemble Cast has impeccable comedic timing. This is not to be missed.

Triangle of Sadness screens at Cannes ’22:

Sat, May 21 at 6:00 PM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sun, May 22 at 8:30 AM at GRAND THÉÂTRE LUMIÈRE

Sun, May 22 at 1:00 PM at SALLE AGNÈS VARDA

Sun, May 22 at 9:30 PM at LICORNE

Mon, May 23 at 11:45 PM at CINEUM IMAX

Tue, May 24 at 9:30 AM at CINEUM AURORE