BIG SCREEN: Trance Revieux (Rated R)

I'm always excited about seeing a Danny Boyle film. He has such a signature energy that I always connect with, and this energy leaped off the screen from the very first scene in Trance.

Trance tells the story of a fine art auctioneer named Simon (James McAvoy) who gets caught up in a brazen heist. With the assistance of his charming, Scottish voiceover, we’re shown the auction house’s detailed security measures, then we witness a choreographed robbery, and Simon’s subsequent head injury at the hands of one of the thieves.  When the thieves discover they don’t actually have the valuable painting they thought they'd stolen, they go after Simon, who is now suffering from amnesia. To locate the missing painting, they enlist the help of hypnotherapist, Elizabeth Lamb (Rosario Dawson). And this is when the real fun begins, as there's a lot more than they bargained for locked up in Simon's injured brain. The movie becomes a big, tangled web of recalled memories and post-hypnotic suggestion, which are often indecipherable from each other.

Okay, is this really happening? Or is he under hypnosis? Who is actually recalling this memory? Who’s the real bad guy here? Wait, I’m perplexed. Whoa, Rosario Dawson is completely nude -- the girls got guts (and a rockin' bod)!

Working off the premise that seeing is not necessarily believing, This twisty, turny little romp employs all the wit and cadence and cool music that come standard in the artistic arsenal of director Danny Boyle to offset all the violence and confusion.

McAvoy is a delightful cross between Ewan McGregor and Edward Norton, and Vincent Cassell, as the leader of the band of crooks, is a charismatic scene-stealer. But, Dawson actually holds her own amidst a big cluster of dudes. One minute  a beguiling minx, the next a terrified victim, she is an essential component in the unpredictability of the movie.

Trance is a crisp, energetic, mind-trippy little caper. I’ve never had so much fun being left a bit baffled and unsure if I actually reached the correct conclusion in the end. 

BIG SCREEN: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Revieux (Rated PG-13)

I’ve seen far too many movies lately that jam together unnatural dialogue and not-quite-there (if not desperately lacking) performances in an obvious effort to hurriedly churn out movies that will, hopefully, just rake in some bucks. Blech. And just when I was about to lose faith, along comes what I can only be describe as… a delightful little film.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a sweet story about a charmingly geeky and awkward fisheries expert (Ewan McGregor) who is contacted by a consultant (Emily Blunt) whose client, a filthy rich, but deeply spiritual and philosophical sheik, wants to bring fly-fishing to a Middle Eastern desert. He balks at first, but soon finds there’s more than meets the eye in this seemingly silly, impossible task. It takes on great significance to all involved, and begins to mirror their personal struggles.

Sure, there are some geo-political elements sort of tossed into the mix. Culture clashes figure in. And, yeah, there’s a little humor and a sweet love story. But, it’s not a raucous romantic comedy. It’s not a searing social statement. And it’s not a political thriller.

Instead, it’s about gorgeous sweeping vistas and dry British wit and organic dialogue, and the kind of lovely performances for which director Lasse Halstrom (Chocolat, Cider House Rules) is famous for coaxing from his always-brilliant casts. (Case in point: I could watch an entire movie based solely on Kristin Scott Thomas’ deliciously prickly minor role in this movie.)

Someone told me that Halstrom mentioned in an interview that he wanted this movie to be to the audience like a glass of champagne. How perfect is that? Subtle, effervescent, and pairs well with salmon!