Critical Morass

And then of course you’ll always get the film reviewer or critic who loves nothing more than to fawn over a “performance”. Glenn Close is incredible, Philip Seymour Hoffman is unbelievable, Sean Penn gives a stunning performance. It salvages the film.

A top level movie star giving a convincing performance is the minimum you would expect. That’s a given. I fail to understand how a performance can save a poor film. The synthesis of character, plot, pacing, mood, dialogue, photography etc. make a film good or bad.

You wouldn’t go to see a band you thought were shit because it contained one accomplished musician; “ Now these lads are fuckin’ dire but keep your ears peeled for the drummer, he always gives a stunning performance”