"Trance" (2013)

I was intrigued when I heard about this film because of its genres: psychological crime/thriller. However I have to say, I think it is frankly the most confusing film I have ever watched! The plot can be summed up quite neatly though: An art auctioneer (James McAvoy) who has become mixed up with a group of criminals, seeks help from a hypnotherapist as a means of recovering a lost painting. Directed by Danny Boyle, I was looking forward to seeing this film but unfortunately my enjoyment sort of fizzled away a bit after a point. However, that’s not to say there wasn’t impressive moments! Danny Boyle doesn't disappoint!

I loved James McAvoy’s narration at the beginning, and the shots back and forth to him looking at the camera as though he is in fact talking to you. I felt it pulled me into the film in a far stronger way than just having the action with no narration. The shots coming back and forth to him while narrating pulled me in further as it made it feel more personal. However, I have to say I didn't love the music during these shots though. I felt it was quite distracting. I think the action taking place was chaotic enough and the music just multiplied this and I found it hard to stay focused. I could feel my attention slipping. It felt too much. However, once the music calmed and the sound became muffled during the aftermath of what had just happened, I felt was effective and grabbed my attention again. Having a shot back to James McAvoy just looking at the camera, this time no narration, was extremely effective too. The fact he is just looking with no narration emphasises the seriousness of what has just happened – there are no words, literally. I thought it was really subtle but so clever.

I did not care for the torture scene that followed soon after. I couldn't actually watch it. But of course the sound effects probably made it sound worse than what was actually shown on screen (maybe!)...I knew when to look away having had a more-than-enough glimpse in the trailer, so I was only listening. I should try and watch it properly sometime because one’s imagination can go to dark places... (I don’t get on well with torture scenes, so this is possibly just me over-reacting).

I actually like the scene in which James McAvoy’s character is first being hypnotized. I love the editing. The shots of him remembering: they’re well done. There’s something abstract/surreal about them and between that and the hypnotist's voice it gave the scene a suitable hazy feeling. The music also added to this.

I also loved the scene in which he comes back to her a second time. She’s done research on who he is and knows what he’s looking for now. He tells her he cannot say what it is he is looking for this time (last time it was “his keys”). She plays a tape of her talking and uses flash cards to ask him questions and find out who is listening in etc, having seen the wire attached to his chest in the first session as the members of the criminal gang he is involved in listen in from outside in case he says too much. She shows him a picture of the painting he is looking for and suddenly he’s like ‘Whoa, how does she know this?!’. I just thought this moment was brilliant.

This movie really delves into the whole concept behind hypnosis in a way I had never really heard/seen before, so it was quite an interesting watch in some ways. It’s something different. The transitions, as I’ve mentioned, between the now and him remembering back simultaneous to the hypnotist's voice are all really well done. It gives the film an ambiguity and questions what’s real and what isn't, which I loved. It focuses hugely on the power of our own mind and what it can do separated from our conscious awareness. I just really enjoyed the psychological aspect of this movie.

Although, that being said, there came a point half way through where I just got really confused. It’s quite an intricate plot and I found you have to really pay attention. I felt that once this point came, the film really went down hill for me because I just lost sight of what on earth was going on, to the point I had to pause it and read the plot on wikipedia, and I still don’t entirely get the point of it all. There is a pretty decent twist though. But, frankly, that’s beside the point.

I liked the casting. James McAvoy brought about a kind vulnerability, while simultaneously suggesting that this character meant business. - for lack of a better phrasing! I think Rosario Dawson's voice was perfect for the hypnotist, Elizabeth. I wasn't mad about her character but she was perfect for the role.

My final conclusion would be that it’s not a bad movie...but it’s just too confusing. In my opinion, at least. Maybe someone else would say differently! But I can’t say it’s one I will watch again in a hurry. I guess it sort of depends on the viewer’s personal perspective!

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