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Danny Boyle’s London-based heist film Trance sees James McAvoy turn in a solid performance against type as a young art auctioneer struggling to regain his memory.
In an attempt to settle gambling debts with his associate Franck (Vincent Cassel), Simon (McAvoy) takes part in an art heist, stealing Goya’s Witches in the Air.
After losing his recollection of the event, the remainder of the film is spent unfolding the mystery of what took place.
Enlisting the help of a hypnotherapist, Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson), to recover his memories, the film begins to play with Simon’s reality. It conjures up similarities with Nolan’s Inception, only Trance ultimately lacks the depth and validity of its cerebral counterpart.
Cassel plays brilliantly to type as the unsmiling French gangster and although both actors received fierce reviews for their performances, McAvoy delivers a solid performance exploring the confused unconscious.
The affable Scot is cleverly cast against his usual roles and it is satisfying to see his character develop from victim to anti-hero.
Its frantic style, comprised of canted angles and fast-paced editing is often distracting from the narrative and the film is let down by a series of uninspiring plot twists.
While the film’s climax is suitably filled with drama, excitement and explosions, its final flourish is decidedly deflating.
The gratuitous violence and scenes of nudity are well-handled by Boyle in the film’s changeable gritty vs. slick production, although at times these changes in style are jarring.
Trance’s convoluted narrative seems at times unnecessary and the overall impression created is that Boyle is trying too hard to make it something it’s not; it promises one thing and delivers another.
Despite its downfalls, Trance’s commendable sound editing, visual effects and sexually-charged performances make for an enjoyable and exhilarating watch.