The following is an aggregate of the buzz from the opening night movie from Film4 Frightfest in London, which kicked off on August 27th.
Triangle (2009) Director: Christopher Smith. Starring: Melissa George, Liam Hemsworth, Rachael Carpani, Emma Lung and Michael Dorman. UK/Australia, 2009, 95 minutes, UK Cert. 18. World Premiere. Trailer
Christopher Smith follows the disappointing Creep (2004), and the much-more-like-it Severance (2006) with an ocean-bound horror movie, equally inspired by Dead of Night (1945) and Memento (2000). Filmed in Australia, with mostly Aussie talent, including Melissa George (Turistas, 30 Days of Night), Liam Hemsworth (Knowing), and Emma Lung (The Gates of Evil). The film gets a full UK release in October, no US release date as yet. Smith's is currently in post-production on The Black Death, a mediaeval horror with Sean Bean (The Hitcher) and Carice van Houten (Valkyrie), from a script by Dario Poloni (Wilderness)
Synopsis "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 realised 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." Icon Film Distribution press release.
Reviews and Comments
"From epic ocean vistas to poignantly shocking finale, Triangle is Smith’s best, polished and most mature work. His sophisticated and intricate script is always kept on an intriguing angle, the sudden violence is jolting, the atmosphere remains continually creepy and Melissa George gives an exceptionally haunting and moving performance." Program Notes, www.frightfest.co.uk
Christopher Smith’s … third feature, Triangle, is a fantastical, psychological horror that follows Creep and Severance as another alternate slant on familiar genre conventions. Triangle is a big step forward and whereas fellow Brit genre director Neil Marshall has stumbled recently, Smith is clearly on the up…" James Dennis, twitchfilm.net
"…a mindf*ck movie in the tradition of Memento, Donnie Darko and Timecrimes. If you’re a fan of such flicks, this will be one to watch, watch again and add to your collection. Christopher Smith has made an imaginative leap forward." Emma Rowley, indiemoviesonline.com
"Triangle was a pretty strong flick marred only by the fact that I saw an incredibly similar film at last years’ fest by the name of Timecrimes." Jamie Carruthers, www.gorepress.com
"…sadly, I don’t think Triangle plays fair. There seems to be a good bit of fudging going on as regards the ‘rules’ of how the film’s particular plot engine ‘quirk’ is taking place. There’s also a baffling piece of deus ex machina towards the end that feels like a tremendous act of disrespect to the audience." Brendon Connelly, www.slashfilm.com
The lengths it goes to to confound and confuse make this a very exciting film and a big step forward for Christopher Smith, despite an empty feel familiar in films that rely solely on plot mechanics. Ben Austwick, www.quietearth.us
"While it starts strongly, Triangle really starts to wear thin and test the patience as the story continues… while I really did want to like it I ultimately became bored and disinterested." Gareth Jones, www.dreadcentral.com
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