Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Nazriya Nazim, Dileesh Pothan, Gautham Menon, Chemban Vinod, Soubin Shahir, Vinayakan, Amalda Liz
“There is no elevator to success, you should take the stairs,” reads a quote written on the stair that leads to Viju’s (Fahadh) dusty, ruined rented home in Kanyakumari. This quote is the first window that gives a glance to Viju’s life. He is a small-time motivational speaker who dreams big. For him, motivation is a way of living. Where is he destined to while pursuing his dream is what Trance looks at?
The movie directed by Anwar Rasheed and written by Vincent Vadakkan is a mirror that reflects certain realities of society. It takes a jab at one of the best-selling drugs in the world – ‘faith’. It goes on to portray what a deadly combination of faith and money can be and how it takes advantage of hapless people.
Fahadh is impeccable as submissive Viju Prasad and flamboyant pastor Joshua Carlton. He has beautifully absorbed the body language of a ‘miracle performer’. His dynamism is the backbone of the movie. Nazriya has delivered a decent performance as a weed-smoking, alcohol-consuming woman. It is nice to see her breaking the mold of a bubbly, vivacious girl. Gautham Menon also gives an astute performance in the company of Chemban Vinod. After Fahadh, the one who steals the show is Dileesh Pothan who appears as one of the key characters Avarachan. Soubin does the role of a media person. Vinayakan, as usual, is brilliant in his very small but crucial portrayal. The rest of the cast includes Jinu Jose, Amalda Liz, Dharmajan Bolgatty and Srinda.
As a debut writer, Vincent Vadakkan has done a commendable job. His script is a good mix of drama, emotion, humour, and reality. He has sprinkled these elements to show mind manipulation. His dialogues are sharp. Without being preachy, he narrates the moods of the mind. He also touches upon depression. Also, the way he uses symbols such as a fighter fish to portray Viju’s state of mind is interesting.
Stylish visuals by Amal Neerad and electrifying background score by Sushin Shyam and Jackson Vijayan play a great role in elevating the trance mood of the movie. The art department deserves mention for aptly bringing the ambiance of such motivational, spiritual gatherings.
Editing is by Praveen Prabhakar. The cinematic language Anwar has brought into such a serious topic is worth a watch. The duration of the movie – almost three hours – can be a bit exhausting. Also, the second half drags a bit. Otherwise, Trance is a brilliant, hilarious and engaging movie that gives an eccentric experience.
Verdict: Worth the money and watch!
Rating: 3.5 stars
