If you consistently find yourself in a group of three then I have some bad news — it means you’re a) third wheeling b) part of a love triangle c) the problem. “Two’s company, three’s a crowd” is as cheesy as idioms come but it’s also true. Two people walking next to each other on a sidewalk? Possible, unoffensive and maybe even cute. But three people walking next to each other on a sidewalk is how you describe the hideous nightmare that is Times Square.
I’m already wary of threes — I’m a perpetual third wheel and it’s an unlucky number. This list of movies makes the point that it’s almost dumb to not be wary of them. Each of the below deal with threesome dynamics in their own ways with varying degrees of success (and a fair amount of death) but they’re all beautiful and intriguing anyway.
1. Stoker
This is the only English language movie on this list and it’s also the English language directorial debut from Park Chan-wook, the guy behind the original and more fucked up version of Oldboy. It genuinely wasn’t until the last 15 minutes of the movie that I figured out what was happening and that in and of itself is thrilling when most movies follow the same cliched plot lines. Without really giving much more away this is definitely the most unsettling film on the list.
2 and 3. Band Of Outsiders, Une Femme Est Une Femme
Most of Godard’s output in the 60’s fits the theme but the two standouts, as well as the most relevant, are Band of Outsiders and A Woman Is A Woman. Band of Outsiders is about two friends competing for the affection of Anna Karina (same) all while planning a robbery. In true Godard fashion there’s a million existential one liners as well as a dance sequence. A Woman Is A Woman features a similar love triangle. Angela, her boyfriend Emile and his best friend Alfred. Angela wants a baby, Emile doesn’t, Alfred wants Angela. Possibly even more existential oneliners and dance sequences.
4. Heartbeats
Two friends, a gay man and straight woman fall in love with the a sheepish blonde boy Nicolas. Come for the painful-to-watch dynamic, stay for the evaluation of sexuality, friendship and unrequited love. In all honesty this is good enough to watch for the cinematography alone — I ended up re-watching a scene of Nicolas dancing spliced with images of mythological greek statues like nine times.
Film column by Tamim Alnuweiri. Follow her at @tamimalnuweiri.
