Trance!!!!

Trance.

We all know of the man Danny Boyle who choreographed the Olympic ceremony in London in 2012 and wowed million's of people around the world. One thing people didn't know is that between planning and rehearsing the opening ceremony Danny was also off making a film, this one to be precise. 

Described by Danny himself as a mix of Inception meets Memento meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, it's a great combination for a film and it interested me right away. Set in the present day it sees the character of Simon (James McAvoy) working at a auctioneers where he is the main security man. If a robbery takes place he is to take the painting on auction out of the room, into a case and place it into a metal safe. This of course all sounds normal until Frank is called into action and goes through the motions until he is held at gun point by Franck (Vincent Cassell), hitting him on the head Franck flees with the painting.

Soon enough Franck opens the case, picks up the frame and realises that the painting has gone. The story then goes back to Simon as you learn he was in on the robbery and because he was hit on the head suffers amnesia and doesn't remember where he put the painting. 

Trying to get him to remember is proving hard for Franck and so Simon suggests using a hypnotherapist Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) to help he regain his memory and locate the painting. As the relationship between patient and Dr start to become more close and intimate Simon's world spirals out of control as he try's to remember where the painting is and hold onto his sanity. 

As the film moves along you learn about how the three main characters are linked, why Simon can't remember and of course where is the painting?. With some twists and turns mixed into the storyline it adds some great suspense moments and has you guessing what will happen next. 

The pace of the film is nice, it's only an hour and forty minutes long and doesn't have any scenes that feel as if they drag on and it keeps you on your toes. The overall feel of the film is just how Danny described it, it has hints of Inception and Memento to do with memory and the internal memories we have. The twists and turns in the story from the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind are there and all three blend well.

James McAvoy as Simon is perfect he plays a distraught, confused man who is doing and using all his brain power to work out whats going on and you do feel sorry for him. Vincent as Franck is a great addition as the desperate hitman who only wants one thing, the painting and will do anything to get it. Rosario as Elizabeth brings in a mysterious feel to the film and you can't quite work her out and what she's up to. 

Set in London for obvious reasons (Olympic Ceremony location) is adds a certain air of darkness as the sets are dark and claustrophobic and really make the film interesting. Being shot mainly at night it gives it that edgy feel. 

A great film addition to Danny Boyle's film back catalogue and another genre of film from the big UK director is ticked off on his list. Psychological thriller, DONE.

8/10.