Film Review: THE PERFORMANCE (2023): Jeremy Piven Offers a Stand-Out Performance in This Powerful Dramatic Film
The Performance Review
The Performance (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Shira Piven, written by Joshua Salzberg and Shira Piven and starring Jeremy Piven, Robert Carlyle, Maimie McCoy, Steven Berkoff, Adam Garcia, Suzanne Shepherd, Lara Wolf, Veronika Strapkova, Jared Grimes, Daniel Finkelman, Isaac Gryn, Kurt Csolak, Malky Goldman, Lukas Frlajs, Annette Lober, Alba Ramadani and Tony Herbert.
Jeremy Piven delivers a really strong performance in the powerful drama from his sister, Shira Piven, The Performance. Piven plays Harold May, a tap dancer in the mid-1930s who goes to Berlin with an entourage to perform and ends up in a very difficult and disturbing situation. This movie superbly builds tension as the audience is initially unaware of some of the conflicts that will be faced towards the latter part of the film.
The Performance opens in New York with the introduction of the passionate Jewish man, Harold, who is aging and has never had a family. He is dedicated to his craft and determined to do whatever it takes to make a living in his chosen area of specialization. Jeremy Piven turns in a piece of acting with much depth and the actor’s work ranks as one of the strongest male performances of the year thus far.
Maimie McCoy portrays Carol Conway, a member of the troupe which Harold associates. The group of performers’ work captures the eye of Fuglar (Robert Carlyle) who asks them to travel to Berlin for a handsome amount of financial compensation for a brief commitment. When the audience for these tap dancers turns out to include Adolf Hitler, the story gets very complicated as the lines are blurred between performing for fun and dancing for survival.
The supporting players are all top-notch. Adam Garcia, as the handsome Benny, stands out here significantly as he voices his concerns to Harold throughout the troupe’s stay. Garcia was in 2001’s Riding in Cars With Boys and it’s great to see him working again in another ambitious project some 23 years later. Meanwhile, the fine Isaac Gryn and the well-cast Lara Wolf ably play the other two members of the performers who work with Harold.
This movie rests on the likability and plausibility of the Jeremy Piven character. We have to believe he’d put his life on the line to dance for the likes of Hitler all in the name of his passion to perform. Though he eventually becomes immersed in his work for survival as well, it’s believable that Harold convinces his troupe to stay where they are potentially in grave danger.
One particularly effective scene has Harold being asked to strip down to his naked body for medical clearance in Berlin. This is a harrowing scene which is all the more powerful thanks to Jeremy Piven’s superb work. The audience will feel his character’s nervousness thanks to the riveting portrayal of Harold.
Maimie McCoy is particularly noteworthy in her portrayal of Carol. She’s more than merely a love interest for Harold. She is the one who challenges him and who inspires him throughout his difficult journey. McCoy is excellent here, commanding the audience’s attention in her scenes with the terrific Piven. Robert Carlyle more than holds his own in this fine cast of talent, offering a scary character transformation towards the end that proves Carlyle’s ability to turn in strong performances which he has done throughout his career dating back to the hilarious The Full Monty and, probably, even before that. Of course, Carlyle’s character here is always cruel but we just don’t see it from the outset. This film definitely proves Carlyle’s versatility as an actor.
This film ends where another character is tap dancing. A Black one. This scene, in particular, leaves the audience with hope and is also a painful reminder of the history of events that were faced by Blacks around the time period the movie is set and beyond.
As previously stated, The Performance makes the viewer believe that Harold would do what he does in the film to justify the years he has given up his passion in life to perform in front of an audience. Shira Piven, the director, carefully places the characters in delicate situations that are not easy to cope with. All the main characters here walk on a tightrope in terms of performing at their own risk, knowing full well their positive outlook could backfire on them at any time because of their heritage, particularly that of Harold who is running the show…or at least trying his best to.
The Performance is a well-crafted reminder of the times when life was frightening and being an artist was a risky profession but being “yourself” was an even riskier one. Jeremy Piven makes this role his own and it’s a performance that one won’t see coming. At the end, Piven’s turn will floor the viewer as he makes us believe that it is possible to be true to one’s own identity in order to make one’s life worth living. This picture is a solid effort all around.
Rating: 8/10
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