Trance

Cast of Characters:
Simon - James McAvoy
Franck - Vincent Cassel
Elizabeth - Rosario Dawson

Director - Danny Boyle
Screenplay - Joe Ahearne & John Hodge
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, some grizzly images and language

      From Shallow Grave to Trainspotting to the Academy Award winning Slumdog Millionaire, Oscar winning director Danny Boyle has proven himself to be one of the most unique and engaging filmmakers of his era. His new film for 2013, Trance, is now open.

      Simon (James McAvoy) is an assistant auctioneer at a London auction house. On the day they are auctioning off their most valuable item - Francisco Goya's masterpiece "Witches in the Air" - the place is robbed at gunpoint. Simon takes the painting and heads to the basement vault to protect the item, but is soon intercepted by lead robber Franck (Vincent Cassel). Franck knocks Simon unconscious and takes the painting. To his surprise though, he finds out - once opening the case - that the painting is gone.

      Franck needs Simon's help to relocate the painting, but being knocked out caused Simon to lose the memory of where he hid the painting and why he hid it. Franck eventually tries to use hypnosis to bring the location out of Simon. Simon chooses hypnotist Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) to help him.

      This is a film filled with twists and turns throughout. It's sharp, at times funny, but most importantly, it's very entertaining. Although there are really no standout performances, the three leads (McAvoy, Cassel, and Dawson) are all solid in their roles. The writing at times may seem a bit thin, but the twists and turns within the story make up for it. I know there will be quite a few viewers frustrated by the non-stop twist after twist, yet as convoluted as the plot may be, I believe it was writers Joe Ahearne and John Hodge's full intention, as if to give us the same "What the hell?" mind trip experience that McAvoy's Simon is going through. The real gem of this film though is none other than Danny Boyle's direction. Despite, winning a Best Director Oscar in 2009 for Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle is still for some reason an underrated director in comparison to the other greats. His style though is one of the most brilliantly unique ever, and it's clearly evident here. The frantic pacing, manic energy, and vibrant color keep you engaged with eyes glued to the screen as each twist unfolds before you.

      While not a masterpiece like Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, or 127 Hours, this is still by far and away, better than A Life Less Ordinary and The Beach. The ending may have been a tiny bit too sentimental in contrast to the overall vibe of the film, but thanks to Boyle's stylishly effective vision, along with three solid performances, it's still one wild, entertaining ride with a final shot that leaves it up to the viewer to decide what happens. I give Trance a B+ (★★★½).

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