Starring James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel,
Rosario Dawson
Directed by Danny Boyle
Danny Boyle has always been an extremely instinctive filmmaker. Hes crafted countless incredibly visceral scenes, be it the adrenaline-fuelled opening of Trainspotting or the harrowing climax of 127 Hours. Time and again, the sense of exhilaration he inspires has successfully papered over his films deficiencies.
Alas, the director changes tacts with Trance, aiming to create something slightly more cerebral in nature. Regrettably, the material is too lightweight to ever fulfill its mind-bending aspirations.
The film bursts from the gates with a heist sequence in which hardened criminal Franck (Vincent Cassel) forcefully liberates a satchel supposedly containing a 27-million Goya from art auctioneer Simon (James McAvoy).
Finding only an empty frame inside the case, Franck demands answers from Simon, who was actually serving as his accomplice. Unfortunately, a head injury has apparently robbed Simon of some vital memories. Cue the recruitment of hypnotherapist Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) in hopes of turning up the paintings location.
Amnesia is bollocks, grumbles one of Francks henchman early on. Trance leaves us inclined to agree. The inherent ridiculousness of the premise permeates every plot convolution that it spawns. Instead of his usual popcorn spectacle, Boyle has cobbled together a tedious exercise in pop psychology. Curtis Woloschuk
