Review of Trance (2013) by Jay L — 24 Jul 2013

"No piece of art is worth a human life, or is it?".

An ultra-stylish, hyper-kinetic, reality-twisting, brain-bending, superbly sexy and maddeningly effective psychological thriller. Trance is a downright confusing mash-up of psychological insanity, a stunningly absorbing, astonishingly slick and utterly intricate endeavor that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's "Memento" meets "Inception" with some Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughn concepts all mixed into one boiling pot of stunning cinema. It sucks you up with ferocious intensity and whirls you around in a vortex of deception, violence and desire before spitting you out in a hypnotic daze. A bombastic visual feast that's a treat for both the eyes and the mind, Trance is the perfect blend of style and substance, and it's easily one of the very best psychological thrillers of the year. Acclaimed Director, and also a personal favorite, Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Millions, The Beach, Sunshine, 28 Days Later) unleashes his inner Christopher Nolan in this nonstop brain-bashing kinetic frenzy of mind-numbing visual and cinematic madness. A film that's executed in spectacular fashion, it boasts a plot that demand for full attention and multiple views, Trance is another full-fledged solid film that Boyle can add to his already spectacular rà (C)sumà (C). Loaded with intense action, brutal violence, slickly executed sexiness, visual power, psychological anarchy and copious amounts of absorbing, suspenseful and gripping entertainment. Trance packs all of Danny Boyle's trademarks into one single cinematic melting pot and pours everything out on screen in spectacular fashion. Vicious, fierce, ferocious, hip, stylish, cool, edgy, tense, powerful, trippy and unbelievably fun.

The acting is fantastic and the cast radiates with talent. James McAvoy has established himself as a hard-hitting scene stealing lead actor and gives another fantastic performance. Vincent Cassel, this guy just looks freaky, his talent is showcased throughout in a marvelous way. Rosario Dawson is splendid as well, it's worth pointing out that she goes full-frontal in this one.