Trance:
Art curator Simon is involved in a robbery of a valuable painting. But, due to blunt force trauma from one of the robbers (Simon faked attacking him, so the robber fake attacked back) he forgets where he put it (he kept the painting with him, not trusting the robbers). So the robbers' ring-leader, French criminal Franck, tortures Simon, believing the amnesia story to be a lie. He then begins to realize Simon is not lying, and he and Simon seek out a hypnotherapist to help Simon remember where he put it. He chooses a woman named Elizabeth Lamb, who he and Franck have no prior history with. Simon lies during their first session about his name and why he's there, but when Elizabeth discovers why he needs hypnotherapy in their second session, she makes a deal with Franck to enter a partnership. They three start a love triangle, and their plan to find out where the painting is spirals down in a whirlpool of deceit, lies, violence, and secrets. Simon also begins to discover Elizabeth and him may have a past... This film, like many of director Danny Boyle's other projects, (28 Days Later, Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, 127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire) has its fair share of violence, as well as an artful and stylized film. The film is very similar to some films by another UK director known for stylized, somewhat violent thrillers: Christopher Nolan. Watching the film, one can't help but draw comparisons to Nolan's work, especially his sci-fi thriller Inception and his debut film, another classic thriller: Memento. Those films were known for their original concepts, artistic direction, clever writing, and their sometimes confusing but interesting plots. This film, like those, constantly throws you for a loop, and is consistently thrilling, even when things appear to be wrapping up. Another aspect of the film that's similar to Inception, without giving anything away, is the open ending. The film has more violence than most of Nolan's work, so be advised, there are scenes (albeit very brief) that aren't for the squeamish. The movie also keeps you thinking you're seeing a dream sequence, but you're not, but maybe you are, and it all ties in with a clever and satisfying ending. Also, no bathroom breaks, this is a film you really need to pay attention to, immerse yourself in. You miss even a tiny detail, and the ending may not make that much sense. The writing is fantastic, being written by John Hodge (who has worked with Boyle before on Trainspotting and Shallow Grave, as well as other great movies), and Joe Ahearne (known for writing for British TV shows such as sci-fi hits Ultraviolet and Doctor Who). The music by Rick Smith adds to the hypnotic and dream-like atmosphere of the film. The cast are fantastic. James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class; Penelope; Last King of Scotland; Atonement; Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; Arthur Christmas; Gnomeo and Juliet; Wanted; The Conspirator; Welcome to the Punch), who, as you can see by that long list, is a seasoned actor, and brings his all to this role. He plays a multi-layered, conflicted anti-hero. He switches between likeable everyday guy, to a somewhat sadistic villainous character, to a petty thief, to a depressed mess. Vincent Cassel (Black Swan, Ocean's Thirteen, Ocean's Twelve, A Dangerous Method, Elizabeth, Our Day Will Come, Adrif, The Monk, Eastern Promises) plays criminal Franck. He's a very multi-layered character as well, and was supposedly the villain, but is sort of an anti-hero as well. He is a likeable asshole. Despite torturing Simon at the beginning of the film, and being a criminal, who is assumed to be a murderer, you can't help but root for him near the end. Similar to Payback's tagline ("Get Ready to Root for the Bad Guy!") Rosario Dawson plays Elizabeth. Again, a character that walks the fine line between anti-hero and villain. Come to think of it, the film has no hero or villain, quite an interesting choice. The three main stars are excellent, and the supporting cast are great as well. The direction by Danny Boyle is, as usual, artistic, stylized, and slick, with a lot of interesting camera angles and a surreal quality to some of the sequences. The brief scenes of action/violence are well executed. Trance is a provocative, endearing, stylish psychological thriller, with a visionary director behind it all. One of the most underrated films of the year. 4/5 stars.
(Images: Wikipedia, majorspoilers.com, impawards.com)
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