“Sharp Corner” follows Josh, a man who becomes consumed by fatal car crashes that occur off a sharp corner in front of his house.
“Sharp Corner” opens in comedically disastrous fashion. It gives the audience a glimpse into the characters in a hilarious way while also showing the frightening reality of their situation. From there, it progressively becomes more and more haunting.
This is a fascinating story full of uniquely written characters and ideas. As “Sharp Corner” advances, it continues to find new ways to provide further examination. It eventually turns into a full-on character study, as Josh falls into madness.
Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders both deliver great performances. While their chemistry isn’t always evident or believable, that’s somewhat intentional. Their dynamic plays a crucial role in the unfolding story. As Foster’s character spirals into madness, my respect for his performance increased.
The sound design is superb in “Sharp Corner,” as you can audibly hear the screeching tires and loud bangs begin to take over Josh’s mind. Sound is continuously a key piece of the tension-filled moments, as it doesn’t overly rely on shocking visuals but rather the noises instead.
“Sharp Corner” has a “grand finale,” but it’s atypical. The film doesn’t have a natural conclusion. Instead, it opts to abruptly end. While this ending may be controversial to many, I found it to be extremely effective. There is a sense of finality to Josh’s journey within this ending, fully unleashing who he is as an individual.
There are many gaps between the thrills in “Sharp Corner,” yet the film remains constantly engaging. It examines the themes of seeking significance and trauma in very distinctive ways. Not many other movies are able to explore narcissism in such an unsettling fashion, but “Sharp Corner” does.
“Sharp Corner” takes a simple subject and deciphers it piece-by-piece in a 110-minute runtime. It’s too long… sure. But it’s also a fascinating character study. There aren’t many other films like “Sharp Corner.” Because of this, it’s bound to be a hidden gem for many of those who stumble across it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
