Performance
Performance

Performance

1970Movie106 minEnglish

In underworld terms, Chas Devlin is a 'performer,' a gangster with a talent for violence and intimidation. Turner is a reclusive rock superstar. When Chas and Turner meet, their worlds collide—and the impact is both exotic and explosive.

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Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes89%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users88%
Director: Donald Cammell, Nicolas RoegGenres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Drama

Plot Summary

A violent London gangster on the run seeks refuge in the eclectic apartment of a reclusive rock star. As the lines between reality and hallucination blur, the gangster becomes increasingly entangled in the artist's decadent and surreal world. The encounter forces him to confront his own identity and the consequences of his brutal lifestyle. What begins as a sanctuary transforms into a psychological battleground.

Critical Reception

Performance is a cult classic, initially met with controversy and censorship due to its explicit content and psychedelic themes. Over time, it has been recognized as a groundbreaking and stylistically innovative film, praised for its daring exploration of identity, violence, and the counter-culture. It is considered a landmark of 1970s cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • A mind-bending exploration of identity and the dissolution of self.
  • Visually stunning and audaciously experimental, pushing cinematic boundaries.
  • Provocative and unsettling, with unforgettable performances from its lead actors.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's unique, psychedelic atmosphere and its compelling, albeit disturbing, narrative. Many appreciate its artistic merit and the performances, particularly Mick Jagger's. Some viewers find the plot confusing or the content too extreme, but its unconventional style is widely acknowledged.

Fun Fact

The film's release was heavily delayed in the UK and US due to its controversial content, with censorship boards deeming it too shocking for contemporary audiences.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Mills 🪽

Mills 🪽

Anita you're a star. Mick was there too. for beauty purposes of course. I also liked the soundtrack, dyed dead and read is really nice.