TV host Hanna (Sophie Rois) and artist rep Simon (Sebastian Schipper) have been a couple for 20 years, but their relationship is fraying around the edges. In “3,” by German director Tom Tykwer, each begins an affair. Nothing too odd there, except that each, unbeknownst to the other, is bedding the same third party: scientist Adam (Devid Striesow), who is equally unaware of the connection between his new conquests.
The Berlin-based story provides the opportunity for Tykwer — who burst onto the scene with “Run Lola Run” in 1998 — to indulge in sexual gimmickry, including a hot locker-room scene in which the two guys first connect. In an especially morbid bit, the film intercuts between Adam and Hanna getting it on while Simon undergoes emergency surgery for testicular cancer. You might say it shows Simon losing his manhood on two fronts.
Tykwer exhibits a fondness for split screens and other eye candy but no interest in formalities like character and plot development. By the time we reach the kitchy final scene, we’ve had our fill of visual tricks. But stick around for the closing credits, which are accompanied by David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”