'Trance' Film Review

Film review by Tom Hunt

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

R.I.P Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert.

It is with immense sadness that upon completing this review I heard the sad news about one of the most respected men associated with film. I'd like to dedicate this piece to a great, great man. When I first began writing reviews, as I imagine like so many other young critics like myself, I would often spend hours reading his work in great awe and jealously at how wonderfully he wrote. The world of film is a sadder, lesser place without him in this world. R.I.P Roger Ebert, You'll be mourned, you'll be cherished and you'll never be forgotten.

'Trance' Film Review

Simon (James McAvoy), is an art auctioneer who double crosses gangster Franck (Vincent Cassel), a man he is in 'cahoots' with over the theft of a painting. Simon's world grows smaller as Franck and his gang do anything they can to retrieve the photo. One problem; during a blow to the head Simon has suffered amnesia and cannot remember where the painting is, so they turn to Dr. Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson) to help Simon retrace his moments after the robbery by using hypnotherapy.

Trance is difficult to discuss without revealing secrets and plot points. Essentially this is one layered film and it would be a shame to ruin it for anyone who is excited to see it. You should be excited, with 4 months into the year this is one of the few great films to have come out so far in 2013. I wasn't completely sure about it at first and I don't think the trailer does the film justice, but in that weakness maybe lies it's strength as you'll be left surprised and wanting a lot more. The film has some big names attached, and everyone is more than aware of Danny Boyle by now. The lead performers are all very strong. McAvoy is charming, funny and very dark. Cassel is a very likeable, human villain and Dawson is surrounded a constant air of suspicion. What's her game plan, why is she trying to help? Is she trying to help? What's in it for her? A great character additional to the film which would be completely flat without Dr. Lambs' involvement, and Dawson plays the calm confident Dr. to perfection. The film's themes of addiction, aggression, greed and deceptions roll off each other seamlessly, especially with McAvoy who seems to play a character with about 8 different personalities.

Trance poster.

Instantly when watching Trance there seems to be shades of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which in no way is a criticism as it's a fantastic film. Trance seems to take elements from that film and make them even cooler, with more action, sex and deception. It seems there's always a lot of heart in a Danny Boyle film, who consistently creates a unique style for each film he does. Trance is no different. The film's look is very artsy and at times quite dreamy (yeah, I said it). It fits the story perfectly which is a plot centred around a piece of art and the use of hypnosis. He has shown he has the ability to jump from genre to genre like he was born to make any possible film, and make them well. It seems strange that for such a talented and respected film maker he hasn't always been on the winning end of the commercial success, yet people know of him and better yet enjoy his films. Sadly Trance feels like one of those films that should get a lot more attention, and in turn box office draw than it perhaps will. This is once again a beacon to how good British films can be if the right people are given the funding, which is few a far between.

In recent years especially there's always an element of optimism in a Danny Boyle film, even when there seems no hope and the world around the characters is falling apart, a ray of sunlight beams through to say it's not over. Once the credits role there's a strange hollow happiness. The Beach and Sunshine especially highlight this point, for any fans of these two films you'll know the feeling. Trance gives off this same feeling. It's a very strange ending and not one fans will be able to call easily, but it's a likeable finish to a greatly entertaining film. Around the 45 minute mark it feels like there won't be a good pay off and the story will just fizzle out, but it comes back around to grab the audience and gallops across the finish line.

There's a lot of talk about how confusing this film is. But it's only as confusing as you allow it to be. Pay attention and the film explains itself. It'll wow and dazzle you along the way, but at the end you'll be right there in the know and loving every moment of it, talking about the inner works of the film for the entire car journey home, or if my friend, how hot Rosario Dawson is.