The film saw the makers of Trainspotting reunite.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Saturday, 21 June) is Trance, the psychological heist thriller from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, the now in cinemas 28 Years Later).
The film centres around Simon (James McAvoy), an art auctioneer with a gambling addiction. In the hole for a lot of money, he winds up becoming the inside man for a theft being orchestrated by criminal Franck (Vincent Cassel) of a priceless Goya painting on auction where Simon works.
After mysteriously stashing the painting, however, Simon gets a knock on the head amid the robbery. Because of this, he suffers from a case of amnesia and cannot remember where and why he hid the artwork.
As such, Franck recruits hypnotherapist Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) in an effort to cure Simon’s amnesia and recover the lost Goya. A love (or lust) triangle winds up developing between the three, as well as a battle for control of an increasingly twisted situation.
Co-written by Boyle’s Trainspotting collaborator John Hodge, Trance was made as Boyle also worked as the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
And Boyle has spoken about how all the sex and violence that wouldn’t have been suitable for the sporting ceremony wound up in Trance.
The result is a lurid, darkly compelling movie that boldly and excitingly shifts from an art caper to a more psychological and erotic thriller over the course of its running time.
All the while, Boyle keeps the energy levels high through his kinetic editing, slick visuals and pounding electronic score from Underworld’s Rick Smith.
Trance is airing tonight on Film4 at 1.15am. It should also be available to stream on Channel 4’s website after it airs.
Here are the other movies on TV tonight:
28 Days Later – Sky Showcase – 9pm
You can check out our recent interview with 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle right here.
The filmmaker was promoting his sequel, 28 Years Later, which is in cinemas now and which we loved.
Deja Vu – Film4 – 9pm
The Denzel Washington time travel sci-fi we recommended recently.
The Other Guys – Comedy Central – 9pm
The hilarious Mark Wahlberg/Will Ferrell-fronted cop comedy.
Alien Nation – Legend – 9pm
This cult ’80s sci-fi flick is set in a world where humans and a recently landed alien race co-exist in Los Angeles.
The film follows the relationship between a veteran police investigator (James Caan) and the first alien detective (Mandy Patinkin) as they attempt to solve a homicide.
Patriots Day – Legend Xtra – 9pm
Mark Wahlberg stars again in this action-thriller about the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 and the subsequent terrorist manhunt.
Saint Omer – BBC Four – 9pm
This 2022 French legal drama holds a whopping 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Magmum Force – ITV4 – 9pm
The solid second entry in Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry action thriller franchise.
Dune – RTÉ One – 9.25pm
Timothée Chalamet stars in this beloved, smash-hit adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel.
Donnie Brasco – TG4 – 9.30pm
An FBI undercover agent (Johnny Depp) infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life, at the expense of his regular one.
Also starring Al Pacino, Donnie Brasco is one of the quintessential undercover crime dramas.
U-571 – RTÉ2 – 11pm
The hit World War II-set submarine thriller starring Matthew McConaughey.
Maximum Overdrive – Legend – 11pm
The only movie directed by horror author Stephen King, this critically panned film sees all machines become sentient and begin attacking humans.
Van Wilder: Party Liaison – Comedy Central – 11.15pm
Ryan Reynolds’ first lead movie role.
Shallow Grave – Film4 – 11.25pm
The debut feature film of the aforementioned Danny Boyle, this terrific thriller follows three friends who live together (Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor and Kerry Fox) who get in over their heads.
This is when they take a large suitcase of money that belonged to their mysterious recently deceased roommate.
A Bigger Splash – BBC Two – 11.55pm
This brilliant, stylish psychological comedy drama revolves around world-famous rocker, Marianne Lane (Tilda Swinton), and her filmmaker boyfriend, Paul (Matthias Schoenaerts), who travel to a small Italian island. This is so that Marianne can relax as she recovers from throat surgery.
However, their peace is quickly interrupted by the surprise arrival of Marianne’s extroverted ex-boyfriend and musical producer, Harry (a scene-stealing Ralph Fiennes), and his mysterious and glamorous daughter, Pen (Dakota Johnson).
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