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Sunday, April 14, 2013

MOVIE REVIEW: TRANCE



A thieving art auctioneer seeks the help of an alluring hypnotherapist in order to repair his damaged memory and recover the treasured Goya painting that he stashed following a brazen heist in this kinetic thriller reteaming Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle with Trainspotting and Shallow Grave screenwriter John Hodge.. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel, Rosario Dawson, Danny Sapani, Tuppence Middleton.

Release Date: Apr 05, 2013

Rated R for language, Graphic Nudity, Sexual Content, Some Grisly Images and Violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Danny Boyle’s pulse pounding techno noir film Trance is a mind bending assault on the senses. It starts off with a wonderfully shot heist that provides the mcguffin for the plot. Once Rosario Dawson’s character is introduced it’s easy to wonder what’s real and what’s not. It’s a film that’s best during the journey down the rabbit hole. It’s a bendy journey which borders on directorial excess but it’s never boring. The film and performances are all incredibly engaging even if the actual plot is a poorly built match stick castle which relies a little too much on chance. James McAvoy gives a wonderfully frazzled sweaty performance as the sort of lead. Rosario Dawson, sporting an impressive hair bun, is just luminous as the hypnotherapist. Dawson just commands the screen every time she’s on it regardless of how ludicrous the situation. Vincent Cassel character is underwritten but he’s always dependable. Boyle’s film would have faired better if it’d been left open ended since it’s so intent on playing games with our senses. Still it’s the type of film that’s probably worth revisiting.

B-


10 comments:

  1. Looks interesting, McAvoy is one of my favorite actors after I watched First Class, so I should probably give this a watch.

    -James

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    1. It's a very different role but I think you might enjoy it!

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  2. that's unfortunate that cassell isn't used as much (because i think he's great), but the rest sounds very appealing.

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    1. I'm a fan of his as well so it was a bit of a letdown but I think the rest of the film is fairly strong.

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  3. Interesting, read a couple reviews that are somewhat similar to yours. Hm, still excited for it, though I have to wait for it until July :/

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    1. Its a flick I really want to see again honestly, it's got a lot of moving parts and kind of requires multiple viewings, I'll be curious to hear what you think when it finally opens over there.

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  4. This is all about Boyle actually having fun with a story, and that's what I liked the most. I didn't care much for any of the characters, but watching as they all messed around with one another, really kept me glued and entertained for the most part. Good review man.

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    1. I agree, you can totally feel Boyle's glee messing with us throughout. I really want to see it again as it left me with an uneven feeling but not in a bad way, thanks for reading Dan O.

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  5. Trance was great fun and had all the hallmarks of a Boyle film!

    I loved it in the cinema but it will be interesting to see how it holds up on a repeat viewing.....whether or not I get it on dvd remains to be seen

    K :-)

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    Replies
    1. I want to see it again, it's that kind of movie where bits and pieces are left to linger. I'd pick it up again.

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