University of Virginia Library

Three Conclusions

In a final analysis, I have three
conclusions about "Performance."
First, the advertising, as well as
word of mouth, leads one to
expect to see more of Jagger than is
shown. One of these days,
somebody will cast Jagger in a part
in which his limited acting abilities
are surpassed by an excellent script.

Second, as Rolling Stone
magazine suggested, this is not
another "Fantasia," where your
enjoyment is enhanced by a
pre-movie smoke. RS implied the
film would plow your mind. Well,
yes some scenes are brutally
shocking, such as Fox's shaving a
man's head, but in totality the film
needs stronger directorial control.

This leads into point number
three: the film is not that good. Of
course, some people may still want
to get wrecked, under the belief
that a bad movie can be better. To
each his own, but "Performance"
could have been a much better film,
and as it now exists, relies too
much on the acting abilities of Fox,
and the drawing power of Mick
Jagger.

(Now at the Cinema)

illustration

Mick Jagger In "Performance"