'Toxic Ménage' Review: A Hilarious Love Triangle
Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of laughter as 'Passages' takes you on a wild journey through a nonconventional love triangle. Unlike typical movies that show the sweet, tender moments of a relationship, this film dives headfirst into the hilariously awkard and uncomfortable scenes, where Martin and Agathe struggle to escape from the overwhelming presence of Tomas. From extended sex scenes to Martin's invisibility, this film will leave you in stitches.
Forget character development, this film thrives on vagueness. Agathe, dressed to impress in Khadija Zeggaï’s extraordinary costumes, is mysteriously written, almost to the point where you wonder if she's a figment of Tomas's imagination. She's like a ghost, fading away when Tomas isn't around. We're reminded of that iconic moment in Caity Weaver’s famous GQ profile of Justin Bieber, where Hailey is caught "doing nothing — no TV, no book, no phone, no computer, no music, no oil paints, nothing." Agathe takes idleness to another level, and it's both absurd and hilarious.
Director Sachs deserves an award for his creative choices. The way the camera captures Tomas blocking Martin during their conversations perfectly symbolizes how little Tomas actually pays attention to his partners. It's a stroke of genius that leaves us in awe of how oblivious Tomas can be. But, unfortunately, this leaves a void in the film. We wish we knew more about Martin and Agathe, but their attempts to set boundaries are so fruitless and repetitive that we can't help but laugh and root for their independence.
In the end, exhausted by their failed attempts, Martin and Agathe find solace in themselves. They retreat so deeply within their own worlds that not even Tomas can reach them. It's a triumphant moment of self-discovery that will have you cheering them on. We've given up on identifying with Tomas, and the lovers have, too. It's a hilarious and heartwarming twist that will leave you with a smile on your face.
'Passages'
Not rated. In English and French, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 31 minutes. Ready for a hilarious theater experience.
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