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| James McAvoy |
Stylish "Trance" a vapid but hypnotic thriller
Part crime drama and part psychological thriller, "Trance" is a stylishly entertaining, often baffling film from Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, of "Slumdog Millionaire" and "127 Hours." Thin but visually enticing, it also has an attractive cast who performs well under Boyle's masterful hand. "Trance" stars James McAvoy ("Wanted") as a London art dealer named Simon, who is involved with a high-end crime gang led by the suave Franck (Vincent Cassel). When a heist goes horribly wrong, a blow to Simon's head makes him forget where he put an expensive piece of stolen art. Franck enlists the aid of Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson), a hypnotherapist who will hopefully help Simon remember where he put it, but instead unravels dark mysteries that blur the line between what's real and what isn't. "Trance," directed by Boyle and co-written by sci-fi writer Joe Ahearne and frequent Boyle collaborator Joe Hodge, "Trance" does what the recent thriller "Stoker" does, and that is choose style over substance. "Trance" features an array of hypnotic, mesmerizing visuals that is Boyle's signature trademark, which make the film much more entertaining than the weak script, the film's chief flaw, suggests. The story is a bit of a mess, muddled and maddeningly confusing and jumpy, and if it weren't for Boyle's steady hand to add some colorful visuals, the film would be a near disaster. The film, to its credit, has an energetic pace and a high-flying climax that will leave you talking, not to mention Dawson's full frontal nudity and the roguish appeal of McAvoy and Cassel. The immensely stylish "Trance" isn't one of Boyle's better films, but his sublime visual flair will keep you engaged, even if the story doesn't leave you with much depth. Worth a look especially for Boyle fans.
Wes's Grade: B-
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