Simon (James McAvoy), a fine art auctioneer, teams up with Franck (Vincent Cassel) and his gang of theives to pull off a heist— steal Goya's Witches in the Air. During the heist, though, Simon—tasked to take the painting—gets whacked in the head and wakes up forgetting where he hid the art work that is worth millions of dollars. So the criminal team hires a hypnotherapist, Dr. Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson), to dig into the mind of Simon...and we uncover not just the painting's hiding place, but also a treasure trove of lies, secrets, and manipulation.
Where did Simon hide the painting? What is Elizabeth Lamb's agenda? Who is she? Is she manipulating Simon and the team, or is it the other way around?
Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting; Slumdog Millionaire; 127 Hours) will put you in a trance in his fast-paced, colorful, and beautifully edited convoluted crime thriller; his stylish filmmaking matching the tapestry of deception unfurling before you.
Trance may spin your mind, yes, but it won't necessarily blow you away. There's also something lacking in the characters' dynamics. Vince Cassel doesn't have the pizzazz of a criminal leader, and cute McAvoy and daring Dawson (who does a full frontal nudity here) both deliver performances that aren't anything out of the ordinary. But, yes, you're still going to be in for a surprising twist; the movie essentially providing you with a decent tale of mystery.
Trance, in its entirety, is a competent thriller, visually arresting, and engaging. It's cleverly and stylishly told, and will hook you til the end. It may not be one of Boyle's masterpieces, but it's a fairly entertaining ride; an elegant popcorn flick perfect for a Friday night date at the cinemas.
3 out of 5 stars
Showing May 1, 2013 in Philippine Cinemas
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, some grisly images, and language.
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, some grisly images, and language.
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