10 Great Performances From 2013 That Are Unlikely To Receive Oscar Recognition

Rosario Dawson – Trance

I seem to be one of a few who actually liked Trance, Danny Boyle’s twisty-turny, mind-bending art heist thriller. By no means is it perfect, as the ridiculous final plot revelation is a little hard to swallow considering the insanity that has come before it, but there are some things to really admire about the movie, like Rosario Dawson’s performance

Genre films are often savagely looked down upon by the Academy voters and it is very rare indeed for them to recognize the performances in a genre film. Rosario Dawson proved in Trance that she is capable of delivering a layered performance that goes far beyond the remit of anything she has been given in the past. Even though Elizabeth Lamb is (spoilers) ultimately revealed to be the main antagonist, Dawson is not simply a wheel within the narrative machinations, but as a performer she simply allows the action to cater to her, not the other way round.

Danny Boyle said he wanted to take on the script because it featured a female lead. In the director’s past works we have seen some great female roles, from Naomie Harris in 28 Days Later to Kerry Fox in Shallow Grave. Rosario Dawson stands proud alongside them and her revelatory brilliance in Trance is deserving of attention, even if the film isn’t.