Film Discussion: Performance

*Warning*

If you have not viewed this film, you may
want to stop here due to the possible
spoilers in this reading that may or may not
prohibit you from enjoying your experience.

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The identity of the average moviegoer and the average film student is at a constant flux. The film stars Mick Jagger and James Fox. While, Nicholas Roeg and Donald Cammell are attributed to both directing the piece, it is to this writer's understanding that Cammell was the sole director while Roeg contributed on the cinematography itself.

The film feels as a performance installation of the loss of identity, and how outside influence can change the way we think, feel and perceive the world. After this writer has viewed several of Nicholas Roeg films, it becomes clear that he has a strong focus in the cinematography and perhaps editing approach to filmmaking.

So many of his films cannot survive without the editing given the sheer complexity of them. It is as if the editing techniques presented in each of his films have a persona about them, an identity so to speak. There are times in the film Performance where the viewer is presented with a scene and does not figure out the significance of that scene until two or three scenes later. It could also be that the editing itself is putting on a performance.

One could draw the conclusion that the editing techniques in the film Performance are painted in such away that it presents the viewer with an up close look at Chaz’s fragmented life. There are other times where Roeg concentrates on presenting a close up on a shot that may not particularly warrant it. This writer draws the conclusion that Roeg is making sure the viewer is aware of the editing. These types of shots have the ability to grab at the viewer’s attention even more so than it might have already been. Given the story and editing combined, this gives the viewer a feeling that they are unknowingly participating in a performance installation. The film constantly makes sure the audience is aware and paying attention. Now, what could really be taken away from Performance is that it ultimately feels as though it is a test into the understanding of a viewer’s mind while watching such a film as Performance. As mentioned previously, the film puts on a performance for the viewer, but it is really a way of possibly understanding the viewer without them really knowing.

Does Turner really want to probe into the mind of Chaz, or is it Nicholas Roeg who wants to probe into the viewer’s mind as they sit and watch the scenes unfold, trying to understand what is going on. This writer finds that the viewer who tries to understand the scene is what Roeg wanted. Perhaps, he is interested in the thought process that one undertakes when presented with such material. So, with this logic this writer must draw the conclusion that Chaz himself is meant to be representational of the viewer himself or herself. At the end when Chaz’s firm catches up with him the viewer is pulled out of the situation and ultimately the film itself.