Performance Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive Collection's Blu-ray release of "Performance" presents a commendable 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer. Co-director Nicolas Roeg, who also served as the cinematographer, brings his signature style of making elaborate and seemingly random visuals both delicate and striking. The Blu-ray maintains the original film’s soft, diffused lighting and intricate details. Colors oscillate from pastels to rich saturations, with the color red playing a significant role in the film's visual language. Black levels are generally stable, aptly representing elements like the barrister’s robes, although some minor fluctuations occur, likely due to the original photography rather than the transfer process. The film also upholds a fine grain structure throughout, maintaining its authentic cinematic texture.

Despite using an older video master without benefiting from a fresh scan or extensive clean-up work, this edition manages to hold up quite well. The high average bitrate of 30.00 Mbps ensures that there are no significant compression issues, supporting Roeg’s intricate editing and frequent jagged cuts. Although some might observe a reasonable yet unexceptional level of detail and sharpness, these are consistent with the film's original artistic choices, including scenes shot with diffusion filters and even some on grainier 16mm film. The transfer occasionally shows mild edge ringing in certain scenes, but this does not significantly detract from the overall visual experience.

The aspect ratio handling is appropriate for its British production origin, approximating a nearly full-frame 16:9 format at about 1.76:1, despite an initial windowboxed opening credits sequence. While the windowboxing is mildly distracting, it does not affect the rest of the film’s presentation which remains within acceptable tolerances for the aspect ratio intended. Overall, Warner Archive’s Blu-ray transfer of "Performance" stands as a faithful reproduction of Roeg's complex and intentionally variable cinematography.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of Performance stays true to its original mono release, encoded in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 format. This format delivers clear, dynamic sound with deep bass, enriching Jack Nitzsche’s score and Mick Jagger’s "Memo from Turner" sequence. Notably, the line "Here's to old England!" has been restored in this segment, rectifying an omission from the 2007 Warner DVD. The mix is an intriguing audio collage with overlapping sounds ranging from vehicles, glass breaking, to cryptic silences, contributing richly to the film’s avant-garde aesthetic.

Despite its strengths, the fidelity of the 2.0 mono track feels dated. Sound effects sometimes lack clarity, dynamics can be limited, and there are noticeable volume swings from quiet to loud. This may partly stem from historical production choices rather than contemporary mastering flaws. The deliberately disjointed audio editing aligns with the film’s experimental style but may appear confusing. The Blu-ray also reintroduces the overdubbed American-friendly dialogue from the original theatrical run, with noticeable ADR issues in sync and vocal authenticity. Although the fixes and alterations might be divisive among purists, the audio nuances of Performance faithfully support its unique narrative style.

The Blu-ray extras for "Performance" are a mix of insightful and humorous retrospectives that give a deeper understanding of the film’s tumultuous production and reception. The highlight is the documentary "Influence and Controversy," which provides a fascinating look into the movie's initial backlash and subsequent recuts, though it occasionally falls into superficial commentary on the 1960s counterculture. "Memo from Turner" is an exaggerated promotional piece, focusing heavily on Mick Jagger's role and his supposed unparalleled talent. Lastly, the "Theatrical Trailer" is an entertaining yet perplexing attempt to capture the film's essence, albeit with a disjointed presentation that occasionally misses the mark.

Extras included in this disc:

• Influence and Controversy: Interviews and behind-the-scenes stories about the film's journey from inception to release.

• Memo from Turner: Promotional short highlighting Mick Jagger’s involvement in the film.

• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer offering a unique yet confusing glimpse into the film’s themes.

Donald Cammell's "Performance" delivers a compelling and complex narrative set in the turbulent late '60s London, exploring the fascinating duality between artists and criminals. The film juxtaposes the two worlds through its main characters: Chas Dean (James Fox), a violent enforcer for the Firm, and Turner (Mick Jagger), a reclusive pop star. As their identities intermingle in perplexing and often trippy ways, the movie morphs into an elliptical, hallucinatory exploration laced with elements of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges’ esoteric themes. Notably, co-director Nicolas Roeg’s expertise in cinematography complements Cammell's New Wave editing style, yielding a visually captivating film. Warner Bros., initially dissatisfied, mandated edits that further enhanced the movie's enigmatic and surreal tone, ultimately elevating it to cult classic status.

Structurally, "Performance" splits into two distinct halves. The first part aligns closely with Cammell's original screenplay, detailing Chas’s descent into conflict within his crime syndicate and his subsequent flight. The movie then transitions as Chas hides in Turner’s dilapidated mansion, where boundaries between reality and illusion blur. The narrative shifts from conventional storytelling to a more fragmented and symbolic method, marked by jagged cuts and non-linear progression. This is epitomized by the unforgettable "Memo from Turner" sequence, wherein identities dissolve to an extent that leaves viewers questioning the very nature of reality within the film. Cammell and Roeg's experimental techniques, integrating jagged editing, sudden audio drop-outs, and surreal montages, force viewers into active engagement with the multi-layered symbolism.

While "Performance" may not deliver the straightforward gangster flick anticipated by Warner Bros., its subversive approach challenges traditional cinematic norms. James Fox delivers a nuanced performance that captures Chas's transformation perfectly, while Mick Jagger embodies the enigmatic Turner convincingly. Though not universally appreciated upon release, time has cemented "Performance" as an essential piece of surrealist cinema that entices with each repeat viewing.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Performance" is a commendable endeavor that highlights the film's rich and visceral imagery. Initially met with mixed reactions upon its release, "Performance" has since garnered acclaim as a landmark art film. The transfer is not a full-fledged restoration, but it does deliver an adequate improvement over previous releases, making it a notable upgrade for both new viewers and longtime fans of the film.

The film's narrative, characterized by its shifts between realism and abstraction, remains open to interpretation, ensuring that each viewing experience offers new insights and revelations. Warner Archive deserves credit for bringing this dense, challenging movie to a broader audience by preserving its enigmatic charm and artistic integrity. Movie enthusiasts who are drawn to complex storytelling will appreciate the multifaceted layers that "Performance" presents.

In conclusion, I remember sitting in a theater watching "Performance" when it was first released, realizing that the imagery was too rich to grasp in one sitting and knowing that I would have to revisit it more than once. Every time I've watched the film since then, I see new things, but even now I couldn't say definitively what happens, because the narrative drops in and out of realism in ways that are deliberately left open to interpretation. "Performance" is a cinematic experience. Much more than any popcorn movie, it's a ride you simply have to take, but this is one where you don't dare turn off your brain, even for a second. WAC has given it a superior treatment on Blu-ray, which is highly recommended.