Trauma (2004 film)

The film is described by critics as a psychological thriller in the same vein as David Cronenberg,^[2] Memento,^[3] and Jacob's Ladder;^[4] however, most find that the film pales in comparison, with Eye Weekly calling it "just another pretentious Jacob's Ladder knockoff.^[5]" The film has been described as stylish, with iofilm calling it "a triumph of style over content.^[6]" Shadows on the Wall adds, "Evans fills the screen with... moody, atmospheric, and evocative visuals,^[3]" and Filmcritic.com says the film has "The Ring-inspired creepy imagery."^[7]

Neil Young's Film Lounge describes the film's visual in this way: "Evans (along with cinematographer John Mathieson, production-designer Richard Smith and editor Mags Arnold) tries desperately to jazz everything up, deploying all manner of distorted visuals - extreme camera angles and close-ups, plus over-atmospheric lighting effects and jagged cuts - in a strenuous attempt to get us into Ben's tormented state-of-mind."^[8]

Colin Firth's performance is the most praised aspect of the film. "He delivers a performance which highlights the range of his considerable talent"^[2] cites one critic. eFilmCritic says Firth "does the best with what he's given"^[9] and iofilm says, "Firth puts in a sterling performance in the central role."^[6] Reel Film Reviews adds "Firth's performance, not surprisingly, is the best thing about the movie, and the actor does a nice job of portraying Ben's increasing paranoia."^[4]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 25% of 16 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.5/10.^[10]

Listed Chronologically

• Sundance Film Festival
• Cannes Film Market
• Edinburgh Film Festival
• Toronto International Film Festival
• Lund Fantastisk Film Festival
• Athens Film Festival
• Gérardmer Fantasticarts Film Festival
• Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Films
• München Fantasy Filmfest

• Trauma Official Site
• Trauma at IMDb
• Trauma at Rotten Tomatoes