Review of Trance (2013) by Simon G — 06 Jul 2013

When an art heist goes wrong, resulting in auctioneer Simon (McAvoy) developing amnesia, criminal Franck (Cassel) makes him see hypnotherapist Elizabeth (Dawson) to help him recall where he hid a sort after Goya original.

We get the usual Boyle black humour and a noir-ish feel as well as the visual flare we've become accustomed to from the director but once the hypnotherapy starts Trance devolves into a Memento-or even Inception (what is real? what is a dream/trance?)-esque mess as Simon tries to piece together his broken and distorted psyche not knowing which memories are real and which are fake. And we the audience wonder who is double (triple?) crossing whom and where the hell is that damn painting!

McAovy plays it brilliantly, always one step away from a full meltdown while Cassel makes Franck equally menacing and sympathetic. Dawson skillfully floats her way through the film, like one of Simon's "perfect" beauties of the paintings he loves, never giving us enough to fully trust or distrust her.

Ultimately Trance won't be remembered as one of Boyle's most memorable outings but it will inevitably become a cult classic or sorts which die-hard fans will endlessly debate. An excellent addition to Boyle's repertoire and good to see the director back on home ground.