Review: Trance (2013)

At the start of 2013, I clearly remember two trailers that cropped up every time I went to the cinema, Trance and Welcome to the Punch. It just struck me as funny as they were both James McAvoy films, coming out within 2 weeks of each other. I spent ages deciding which of the two I was going to see, and as these things usually pan out, I ended up seeing neither. Last night however, I spotted Trance on Sky Movies on Demand, and figured this would be the perfect time to redeem myself.  I am a huge fan of James McAvoy so I am amazed I haven't seen this film yet but it is on my list and I will get round to I eventually.  I'm pretty sure however, that I did watch Welcome to the Punch but cannot remember a single thing about it so it can't have been that memorable.

I have to admit, I actually got the two films confused in my head and I was originally expecting an action film. Actually, I think I did better by watching Trance. This is about an art auctioneer called Simon who gets mixed up with a criminal gang. He teams up with them to help steal a painting worth $30m, but betrays the gang leader at the last minute. He's injured in the scrap, and ends up losing a lot of his memory, meaning he can't remember where he hid the stolen painting. The gang force him to see a hypnotist to help him remember.

That's really all I can tell you about Trance without giving you spoilers, and I promise you I won't do that.

Once the hypnotist was introduced, I knew this would be a film that would mess with my head. I started to question what was real, and even what order events were taking place. In fact, to be completely honest, at one point I almost wanted to give up. I'd got myself so confused, and I could feel a big reveal was about to take place but I figured it would make me more confused. In fact, it really cleared things up and I was so glad I stuck it out.  It doesn't surprise me that you were confused ;-)

Trance also reminded me just how great of an actor James McAvoy is. I haven't seen much of his work, and in fact, the first thing I ever saw him in was Shameless! I'm making a mental note though to watch more of him, maybe Welcome to the Punch should be next!  See above!!

This was nearly a 9 from me, but I'm still not sure I understand the very last scene, and I don't think it has much replay value. Still a fantastic film though!