Performance is a 1970 British crime drama film directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg. The movie centers around the story of Chas Devlin, a young London gangster who seeks refuge in the basement of Turner, an eccentric and reclusive rock star, after a job goes wrong, and he becomes a liability to his associates.
Turner, who lives in a sprawling, decaying mansion, is fascinated by Chas and his violent ways. As the two men spend more time together, they begin to blur the lines between fantasy and reality, and their identities become entangled. Chas starts to adopt Turner's hedonistic lifestyle, including cross-dressing and experimenting with drugs, and Turner becomes drawn to Chas's alpha-male persona.
The film is known for its unconventional storytelling narrative and the innovative use of editing techniques, visual effects, and music. The performances of James Fox as Chas and Mick Jagger as Turner have also been highly praised by critics. Performance was initially met with controversy and censorship due to its explicit sexual content, violence, and drug use. However, it has since gained cult status and is widely considered a groundbreaking film that influenced a new generation of filmmakers.