Performance
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Movie Reviews of Performance
Movie Review: Important, for sure, But I'm Missing Something
Summary: 3 Stars
I am truly surprised how big the approval rating of "Performance" is. Some of the reviews on here, which call the film a masterpiece and various things truly surprise me. I heard about this movie a long time ago, right after I began getting into the work of Nicolas Roeg. This film would probably receive a lot more attention than it does if not for the fact Roeg co-directed it with Donald Cammel, also the film's screenwriter. Most people think the 2nd film that Roeg directed, "Walkabout," is his first film...So this movie is kind of left in the dust. I don't know what it is with this movie. I truly expected to love it and I didn't. Then again, it seemed like a movie that one might need to watch more than once to fully comprehend. Roeg, a cinematographer, made his directorial debut while Mick Jagger made his acting debut (although he doesn't show up for a long time in the film). The main character of the movie is actually Chas (James Fox), a hit man who finds himself needing to distance himself from his employer Harry Flowers, when he kills a guy he's not supposed to. Trying to hide, he shacks up in the basement of a former rock star named Turner (Jagger). That's pretty much all there is in the plot department, although many people say that the two decide to switch identities...But don't listen to that. While, technically, that does happen; saying it like that just doesn't emphasize exactly how that pans out. Anyway, after Chas arrives in the apartment he just tries to find a way to get out of the country and hangs out with Turner and Turner's girlfriend Pherber (Anita Pallenberg, Keith Richards' girlfriend at the time). The final shot of the film is one of the best parts of the movie. The cinematography is by Roeg (who would also photograph 'Walkabout' and co-photograph 'Don't Look Now' although he's un-credited), who is one of the strangest of all cinematographers. The man knows how to film something, but he was very experimental with his camera. He likes to zoom in and zoom out in quick succession and then there are his sex scenes. If you lined up 10 sex scenes (say these ones, the one from "The Man Who Fell to Earth" and "Don't Look Now") and asked people to pick the 3 that were photographed by Nicolas Roeg...99% of those people would select the right ones. This movie has a great look to it, although the grainy and old way it was filmed hasn't really aged well. The movie is a very visual film that moves along through its visuals rather than plot...Good thing it has a good photographer behind it, otherwise this film could've been unbearable. Fox plays Chas perfectly and Jagger is quite well too (this is the only film I've seen him in), even though all he does throughout the film is pout, walked around in a daze, and sing at one point. I plan to watch this film again at some point and attempt to review it again, because I'm really surprised this movie didn't click with me. It was haunting and well made, but the entertainment value of it seemed so far away...Chances are, however, if you're familiar with Roeg's work, especially "The Man Who Fell to Earth," (which also tells much of its story through visuals) then you'll probably love this film. Me? I just really don't know what to think of it.
Movie Review: Performance - DVD Altered State
Summary: 3 Stars
I just got my copy of Performance on DVD from Amazon and I must say I have mixed emotions regarding this release. As a long time fan of this movie (I've seen this film hundreds of time) I can detect subtle changes (i.e. missing scenes, etc.). What I don't understand about this DVD release was why someone at Warner Brothers felt compelled to re-dub certain characters dialogue or remix parts of the sound track.
Now I'll admit I haven't watched this movie for a couple of years, but my ears do not deceive me. The voices of characters Harry Flowers, Moody and the little girl Lorraine have all dropped an octave, as well as losing some of the nuances of their accents and timing. Some words and phrases have been altered which is also upsetting. In 1970 when this film was released the dialogue of this film felt authentic, raw and real time east-end London. It still does, but it has lost some of its edge.
Even some of the background music has been changed. And trust me I know the sound track too! And for some reason during `Memo from Turner' Jagger's voice completely cuts out when muttering the toast "Here's to Old England." I just hope it doesn't have something to do with his knighthood.
I don't understand why Warner Brothers - who admittedly never like this film would bother to add or alter this movie. The only reason to buy it would be for the limited special features included in this release. Jesus, even the packaging of the DVD is limited. Their official VHS release (in the 80's) was disappointing and the DVD release is no exception. Because of the alterations, it's an even bigger disappointment. Thank God I have a complete copy of this film in its original state on VHS.
My advise to newcomers to this film - keep in mind your getting an altered classic. It is still a classic in its own right, but it was better before they messed with it. If you are an aficionado like me - keep whatever VHS copies you have and do whatever you must to preserve them. I just hope to live long enough to see the director's cut of this film, or at least - the Criterion Collection release.
Movie Review: stars don't really work for this movie
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a classic; the movie goes beyond the "stars" in more ways than I can list. It has a late 60's art film style driven by Nicholas Roeg ; it could be a legtimate work of art but to me it's more important as a major cultural statement. Mick Jagger playing what -let's be honest- most of of thought he might become. This was before the Rolling Stones became "the world's greatest rock 'n roll band" . Anita Pallenberg was Brian Jones' girlfriend or had she just become Keith's ?
Anyway there is some homage to the Krays: England's psychopathic, gangsters .. maybe some real insight in to their peculiar world. A touch of the old ultra-violence, and most of all sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll.
Who knows what it did to James Fox's career. Mick wouldn't get out of the makeup for more than a decade after this film.
Memo from Turner- is the best Rolling Stone's song Mick never did with the stones, The Last Poets perform the world's first rap song. Ry Cooder's guitar work was never hotter. Randy Newman, Buffy St Marie, Jack Nietchze - who was the engineer on on early Stones records that were done in the States puts together a maybe the greatest Rock movie sound track including Tommy
Didn't I see you down in San Antone in 1965? well didn't I ? A little William Burroughs stirs up the pot.
Movie Review: a curiosity not a classic
Summary: 3 Stars
I purchased this movie more out of curiosity about how it would hold up thirty some years after my first viewing. As I suspected it would be, it was more a souvenir of an experimental time in our culture than an example of compelling filmmaking. Nicholas Roeg is nothing if not daring, and I did enjoy the film as a noble attempt, but I can't give it a ranking up with his two more exceptional films, The Man Who Fell to Earth and Walkabout. Mick Jagger is fascinating to watch, but more for his unique charisma than for the role written for him. The soundtrack contains some excellent songs rarely heard anywhere else, but the movie as a whole left me wanting a bit more depth of feeling.Movie Review: The Mick Jagger Fake Book
Summary: 3 Stars
I like this movie, like the music, the acting is good, the mushroom looks pretty. James Fox, Anita Pallenburg are very convincing. The Artsy psychedelic style is right up my alley. Mick Jagger is basically playing himself, is he fake or real? However, when it comes to cult classics, this film doesn't stack up with some of the better ones. If it's movie party time, I would probably pick El Topo, or Beyond the Valley of the Dolls or Eraserhead over this one. Sorry, Donald and Nick.