Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Triangle (2009)
Written & Directed by: Christopher Smith
Starring: Melissa George

As far as I’m aware, “Triangle” didn’t get a theatrical release. This is horror straight to the DVD market, which can be good and bad. Having recently seen director Christopher Smith’s previous movie, “Severance” (an impressive mixture of satire and torture), this one definitely looked on the promising side. Melissa George is not a bad draw either, that beautiful Australian actress who’s also appeared in “30 Days of Night,” “Mulholland Drive,” “The Amityville Horror” and was Golden Globe nominated for “In Treatment.”

George is playing Jess, the mother of an autistic son who decides to take off for a day of relaxation on a friend’s yacht. Initial scenes show her having a tough day getting the kid ready and from the outset she seems completely disoriented. We’re not sure what happened but you can bet that we’ll fill in the gaps later. A sudden electrical storm hits and the six crewmembers are rescued by an ocean liner. Sounding ominous already? Well the ship’s pretty much deserted, other that this than for a crazed masked gunman who’s taking shots at them.

That’s just the start of what turns out to be a real mind bender. I won’t tell you any more than that because there are some surprising twists. What I will say though is that it’s a premise taken from a Spanish movie (potential spoiler - click here if you want to know which one) I saw recently. So a movie that might look clever and original to most will lose points with those who have seen that title. I’m not sure that Christopher Smith has acknowledged that fact either, unless it’s just coincidental.

The script is fairly complex and it’s pretty well executed. Just when you think you’ve witnessed the bigger twist, there are associated twists as it deftly attempts to pull all the pieces together. The bulk of the story takes place on the ghost ship and by that time we’ve forgotten about the autistic son story, which is when Smith decides to take us that extra step and pull the whole thing together. I’m not sure that every piece falls perfectly into place but it does a good job of trying.

There’s some symbolism but that part is certainly weak. The yacht is called “Triangle” (what an awful name), the whole event takes place in what appears to be the Bermuda Triangle and the ghost ship is called “Aeolus” (Greek mythology is ambiguous here but he’s some kind of God of the sea winds). There’s also a look of “The Shining” with references to déjà vu, the infamous room 237 and a message in blood on the mirror. It’s a smart concept as a whole but I’m not sure that it’s as smart as it thinks it is, especially given the fact that its best part is stolen.

Production is good. Some of the ocean shots of the yacht are excellent, although there is an obvious CGI look to the omen-like seagull that hovers from above. Tension is well staged with some eerie corridor shots (very Shining-like again) and the appearance of the sniper makes for something partially shocking. But even though this is billed is a horror it’s not particularly scary. There are a few shock moments, but for the most part this plays out like a supernatural “Twilight Zone” tale.

The cast is more or less nameless save George. The director doesn’t waste much time on character development, because 1/3rd of the way through we realize that this going to be a one character movie. Michael Dorman as the yachtsman is probably the only other name worth mentioning amidst the fodder. Melissa George does do a good job of carrying the movie. She’s certainly good to look at as she spends the whole film running around in tank top and “Daisy Dukes." But she also does a good job of capturing the range of emotions necessary for a frightened female protagonist, complicated further by the initial disorientation and determination to get back to her son.

“Triangle” despite its lousy title is definitely a good supernatural horror film. Those who haven’t seen the Spanish movie I referred to will find the storyline intriguing and fresh. It’s also cleverly put together. It just loses marks in my book because I have seen the concept before. Neither does it live up to Christopher Smith’s “Severance.” But it’s still enjoyable and worth checking out.

Verdict: 3 Stars - Recommended

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age