Traditional paradigms are never lost from the abundance of films in modern-day cinema. With ancient films carefully constructing on-screen trios, or friendship threesomes, this is something we can be sure will never die, as films today still readily use this formula.
Lukas Moodysson’s upcoming drama We are the Best (2014) is no different, as it focuses on a trio of wanna-be female child rock stars growing up in Sweden and are determined to gain success, despite the odds of everyone believing that rock is dead. The release has prompted us to look at the history of some of the most memorable trios in film, films that date as far back as the 1980s
Titles which first spring to mind, where trios are prominent include The Big Lebowski (1998), Feris Bueller’s Day off (1986), and the Harry Potter series (2001-2011).
All quite different trios, but if there’s one thing they have in common, it’s that they all can be seen to get into unconventional acts as a threesome, something that may not be as detectable if they were a one man band or even a pair.
In The Big Lebowski, Jeff Lebowski, also known as ‘The Dude’, is the victim of a case of mistaken identity, of which millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski is the sought after target. “The Dude” embarks on chasing down his namesake to seek compensation for the wrongdoings against him. He enlists the help of his friend Walter Shobchak, and Danny Kerabatsos, while agreeing to bring back the wife of the millionaire Lebowski, who has been abducted. Things continue to unravel and their initial goal of solely seeking recompense for a misunderstanding soon turns into ongoing trouble for the trio.
Although the trio in the in the Feris Bueller film is involved in rather less unlawful activity, this threesome is one that also manages to find itself in and out of trouble. High school student Bueller is keen to get the day off of school and by any means necessary. However, getting the day off is never a success unless you have the companionship of your best friend and the girl you’re courting. He is undoubtedly the ring-leader and drags his friend Cameron along for the journey and the pair find a way to rope girlfriend Mia in to the plan.
A more recent and memorable trio in film has to be the most well-known threesome in the Harry Potter series. This trio may need little explanation, but if for some reason you are unaware of who we’re talking about, Harry a budding wizard at the school of Hogwarts, upon arriving finds friendship with wizard Ron, and witch Hermione- as you do. The trio see friendship through seven sequels, with two of the three (Ron and Hermione) who started out as friends ending up in a romantic relationship.
Moodysson’s We are the Best is sure to follow the path of depicting a trio displaying an strong bond. The girls embark on an adventure of their own and although very dissimilar to any of the trio adventures above, they depict a journey to gaining musical success by defying the odds.
You can catch We are the Best in cinemas from April 18th.