Drama starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener as members of a New York-based, world-renowned four-piece string quartet struggling to keep the group together in the face of competing egos, lust and a debilitating illness.
When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life-changing diagnosis, their future suddenly hangs in the balance. The fallout threatens to derail 25 years of friendship and collaboration as suppressed issues and feelings are brought to the surface. As the quartet's quarter-century anniversary concert approaches, how it will go - and whether it will take place at all - are among the many questions that surround the future of the group in this time of turmoil.
As a cultural philistine I needed a push to watch a film about classical musicians. But once lured in by a solid cast that includes Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener I found Performance to be impressive, superior drama. The film’s leads are good across the board, most notably Walken as cellist Peter Mitchell, recently diagnosed with career-blighting Parkinson’s Disease.
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A skillfully performed drama that treats the varieties of musical expression as an effective if unsubtle metaphor for a person's many possible pathways through life.
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A challenging and thought provoking film, its greatest assets being its four outstanding performances.
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The leads make sweet music in an affecting four-piece that, if not note perfect, plays well to their individual strengths.
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It would be shortsighted to dismiss this deeply felt, musically savvy film, set in a refined cultural precinct of Manhattan, as sudsy melodrama.
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Does one of the most interesting things any film can do. It shows how skilled professionals work.
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Zilberman's minimalistic approach fits the idea of the film better than it fits the actual film.
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Measured performances from the seasoned cast balance out a script that errs towards the melodramatic.
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Zilberman is breaking no new ground, but he gives his actors strong material and room to breathe.
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