Retro Film Review: Trauma (2004)

In the realm of cinema, particularly within genre films, the distinction between "clever" and "confusing" is exceedingly delicate. Numerous overly ambitious filmmakers often overlook this, leading them to inadvertently cross that boundary. This was the case for Welsh director Marc Evans with his 2004 psychological thriller, Trauma.

The plot begins with Ben (played by Colin Firth), an aspiring London artist, awakening from a coma to discover he survived a car accident, while his beloved wife Elisa (played by Naomie Harris) did not. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Ben endeavours to rebuild his life by relocating to a new apartment within a former hospital building. Simultaneously, as Ben grapples with Elisa's death, the nation mourns the brutal murder of pop singer Lauren Paris (played by Alison David). Ben faces further distress when Detective Constable Jackson (played by Kenneth Cranham) identifies him as the prime suspect. Yet, Ben's challenges escalate as he experiences visions and hallucinations, leading him to question whether Elisa is truly deceased. The only individual who offers him solace is his beautiful neighbour Charlotte (played by Mena Suvari).

Richard Smith's screenplay for Trauma exemplifies a contemporary psychological thriller centred on the protagonist's wavering grasp on reality. Typically, the resolution involves a "clever" plot twist that unveils key characters or plot elements as figments of the protagonist's imagination. To sustain intrigue until the conclusion, Smith introduces numerous red herrings. Evans enhances this with a plethora of cinematic tricks, aiming to immerse the audience in a world as perplexing as it is for the characters. However, this abundance of effort leads to an unsatisfactory revelation, demanding considerable patience and concentration from viewers to unravel the plot. Regrettably, this patience is in short supply, as Trauma appears more as a stylistic exercise than a demonstration of adept storytelling. While Colin Firth delivers a commendable performance and Mena Suvari captivates with her portrayal of an almost ethereal character, their appearances cannot compensate for the shallowness of their roles. Numerous subplots and characters remain unexplored and underutilised, rendering this film a traumatic experience for those seeking a high-quality genre production.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)

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