Trance

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Trance.

Directed by Danny Boyle.

Written by  Joe Ahearne & Jon Hodge

Review #209

MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, some grisly images, and language.

Run Time: 101 min

Cast

James McAvoy...Simon

Vincent Cassel...Franck

Rosario Dawson...Elizabeth

Danny Sapani...Nate

Matt Cross...Dominic

Wahab Sheikh...Riz

There are many that would say Danny Boyle's finest achievement in film making is Slumdog Millionaire. I am going on the record saying I STRONGLY DISAGREE with that opinion.  Why I disagree however might not be what you would be thinking. To label Slumdog Millionaire as Boyle's finest work dismisses the rest of his filmography which is both extensive and brilliant.

His films are so good that there isn't one that stands out. Even his lesser known/popular films like The Beach and Sunshine have many elements that were amazingly entertaining. We may have our own personal favorites but to single out a film that has garnered the most acclaim as his best is truly not appreciating his work. So after taking some time off from 127 Hours. We get the latest Boyle installment. Does this add to his impressive library.

Two words F#@K YEAH!

Plot

An art auctioneer who has become mixed up with a group of criminals partners with a hypnotherapist in order to recover a lost painting. 

This review will be rather short due to the nature of plot details that I can't expose. The trailers give you a better idea of what you're going to see but this film does to you what it does to it's main character Simon. Which is mess with your head. What I can say is if this plot were in the hands of a lesser skilled director, Trance could have been a catastrophic disaster. This films tackles several genres with the main two being Mystery and Drama. It also presents a transparency that gives the film a predictable path.

Then poof!

Trance flips upside down and goes an entire new direction that would have been seen as a ridiculous cheat. Most of the time that would have been the case but here it somehow works. This is in my opinion thanks to both Boyle and his stellar cast. He gets the most out of this been there done that story by giving his cast the life they need to rejuvenate this stale tale. I wish I could say more. I really want to say more but too much happens that would ruin the experience. All I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by the film's ability to take a washed up plot combined with a rather weak twist and make it seem original.

That's all Boyle baby!

On the 5 star scale. Trance gets 3.5 stars with a "Go See It!" Recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Oblivion.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"