Review of Performance (1970) by Cindy I — 17 Jan 2010
A gangster named Chaz (James Fox) decides to go into hiding from his enemies, and comes across a retired musician named Turner (Mick Jagger) and his TWO girlfriends, all living happily in a London flat together.
In the process, Chaz discovers that he and Turner have more in common than he initially expected. This was probably considered more daring in 1970 than it is now. I've always hated the movie business version of the spaced out hippie/rock star lifestyle, and this definitely fits that category.
It's a lifestyle that people imagine to be really cool, but looks kinda stupid when you actually see it in the flesh, and in this case VERY dated. Mick Jagger is basically playing himself (although the joke is on them -- Mick Jagger will NEVER retire).
The one saving grace is James Fox. He is handsome and sexy and scary and arrogant. I would have much rather seen a film more about hiim as a gangster than the pseudo hippie he appears to have been here.
There's a twist ending here that while interesting, could have been handled a little better. Not really exciting or sexy or...anything. Just...eh. OH -- I'd be willing to bet that Guy Ritchie can claim this film as one of his influences.
You could drop Chaz into one of Ritchie's gangster crime movies and not miss a beat.
This review of Performance (1970) was written by Cindy I on 17 Jan 2010.
Performance has generally received positive reviews.
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