DVD Review: Trance (+trailer)

Rosario Dawson stars in Trance.

Hypnosis adds an interesting extra dimension to a movie script.

It leaves you wondering what is real, what is a dream and what is imaginary. It makes putting the pieces of the puzzle together even more difficult.

Trance is one such movie.

Cleverly, you are left not really knowing who did what to whom until the very end.

The villain in your eyes changes throughout the movie, to end in a rather unlikely place.

Directed by Oscar-winner Daniel Boyle, Trance is the story of Simon (James McAvoy), an art auctioneer who seemingly loses his memory while seemingly trying to foil a precious art theft.

In fact, Simon was in collusion with Frank (Vincent Cassel) to clear a gambling debt and everyone wants to discover what happened to the artwork that Simon had.

It is decided that Simon should consult a hypnotherapist in an effort to remember what he did with the US$25 million masterpiece.

Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) enters Simon's life and soon becomes the puppeteer controlling his thoughts and movements and those of the people around him.

She appears to be able to manipulate whoever she pleases with hypnosis, or simply with her sex appeal

Step-by-step the chain of events emerges, but as one aspect becomes clearer another seems to pose new questions.

Trance is one of those edge-of-your-seat stories that tantalises you until the very end.

Trance

(R16) Fox

Rating: 4 / 5