Trance

Director Danny Boyle's stylish thriller stars James McAvoy and involves art theft, betrayal, amnesia and hypnosis

Director Danny Boyle's stylish thriller stars James McAvoy and involves art theft, betrayal, amnesia and hypnosis.

McAvoy's slick auctioneer, Vincent Cassel's French crook and Rosario Dawson's hypnotherapist are tangled up in an increasingly convoluted plot.

The story begins simply, however, with McAvoy giving us the lowdown on the workings of London's fine art world in a sardonic voice-over.

Then we discover that he has lent his inside knowledge to Cassel’s gang, who have their sights on a priceless Goya painting.

During the heist, McAvoy suffers a blow to the head that leaves him with amnesia - and no memory of where he has hidden the painting. In comes Dawson to probe into his mind until its whereabouts are revealed. Sultry and smart, she promptly wants a slice of the action, too.

As if all this weren't convoluted enough, there are so many layers of visual chicanery that we are not sure whether we are watching reality or fantasy – plus there's the devious erotic triangle that develops between the stars.

The more twists and turns that pile up, the less interested we become in the eventual outcome, but it is certainly dazzling to watch.