Danny Boyle returns from his expensive yet triumphant Olympic opening ceremony with a triumphant yet inexpensive (comparatively anyway) heist movie with a twist. Trance cost $20m, the opening ceremony cost $34m. I’m not entirely sure which one made the most sense, even now.
The twist involves hypnotherapy, although there a proper actual twist near the end but by that point the viewer may just be slightly too fed up with the increasingly implausible use of hypnotism to not care overly about the reveal. Well if that viewer is me, replace “may” with “definitely“.
Boyle has a great cast for Trance, James McAvoy’s star is seemingly ever rising and he gives a great understated performance as a auctioneer who seemingly thwarts a robbery that it transpires he was actually in on. You may not know the name Vincent Cassel but you will definitely recognise him from Oceans 12 & 13, Black Swan or if you don’t mind subtitles, the rather excellent Brotherhood of the Wolf. Cassel is great value as the main bad guy, getting increasingly desperate and violent as he tries to prod McAvoy to remember where he’s stashed the stolen painting.
Rosario Dawson plays the hypnotherapist and is perhaps the weak link, although this may be as much to do with the premise of the film as with her performance. The sex scenes seem forced and out of place, not particularly adding anything and definitely giving the impression they’re only there to tick a box.
Ultimately though the film’s frenetic pace, stylish direction and some great performances from Cassel and McAvoy just about manage to save the film from it’s inherent plot flaws.
Trance is worth a watch but won’t bear repeat viewings.
