The Performance

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The Performance

R

Released Jan 24

1h 52m

Drama

History

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70%

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10 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Based on a short story by Arthur Miller, The Performance is set in 1937 as the fascist atmosphere in Germany is nearing its brutal pinnacle. Harold May (Jeremy Piven) is an American Jew and gifted tap dancer. Though he is nearly past his prime, he still longs for the success and status that have eluded him. While on tour in Europe, Harold, his old flame Carol, and the rest of his troupe are scouted by Damian Fugler, a German attaché. Not Knowing the blond-haired May is a Jew; Fugler offers them a huge sum to perform one show in Berlin. Once in Germany, the troupe discovers that the show is an exclusive performance for Hitler himself. As Fugler, Harold, and the troupe's lives become intertwined, Harold is faced with a choice: either keep his Jewishness a secret for the sake of his dreams or, ironically, own up to who he really is in order to escape.

Nell Minow

RogerEbert.com

The Pivens, who literally grew up together and made this as a passion project, have a shared vision, and a level of comfort and communication that brings sincerity and authenticity to the performances at every level.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 24, 2025

Full Review

Peter Travers

ABC News

Jeremy Piven tap dances for Hitler and turns playwright Arthur Miller’s cautionary short story about art’s accommodation to power into a well-meaning family project (his sister directed) that stumbles when it most needs to soar

Jan 24, 2025

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Joe Leydon

Variety

Director Shira Piven’s impressive adaptation and expansion of a 2002 Arthur Miller short story offers timely observations about manipulating masses.

Jan 9, 2025

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Ryne Clos

Spectrum Culture

As a work of historical fiction, The Performance is confused; as a literary portrayal of the Nazis, it is uninteresting and inconsistent.

Jan 29, 2025

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

The Piven siblings convey the conflicting emotion of internal self-flagellation of Harold selling his soul and the jubilation over finally making it.

Jan 27, 2025

Full Review

Dustin Chase

Texas Art & Film

What a film about Jeremy Piven tap dancing for Hitler has to say about Carrie Underwood singing at the inauguration.

Rated: C+

Jan 24, 2025

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Adaya P

I have seen the film several times, It is not only a fascinating and chilling filmed story. There is a professional team here who knows how to work together. These are things that elevate any film to the level of a work of art. The fascinating photography and visual translation of Lael Utnik in every frame and frame. With each re-watching of the film, I rediscovered the film, it has many layers. And the understanding of the film anew. A film that I will watch again and again. Lael Utnik is an Excellent cinematographer. He deserves to win an Oscar for the originality and the interest that can be discovered there Many creators in this film also deserve to win an Oscar for this wonderful creation

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

Full Review

stacy o

how much of your soul will you give to succeed? Jeremy & Shira gave all for this beautiful film… pure brilliance and a must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

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Robert P

Solid performance by Jeremy Piven. Great supporting cast and beautiful score. Worth going to the theater and watching.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Shira Piven

Director

Jeremy Piven

Harold

Robert Carlyle

Fugler

Maimie McCoy

Carol

Steven Berkoff

Sam

Adam Garcia

Benny

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Synopsis

Based on a short story by Arthur Miller, The Performance is set in 1937 as the fascist atmosphere in Germany is nearing its brutal pinnacle. Harold May (Jeremy Piven) is an American Jew and gifted tap dancer. Though he is nearly past his prime, he still longs for the success and status that have eluded him. While on tour in Europe, Harold, his old flame Carol, and the rest of his troupe are scouted by Damian Fugler, a German attaché. Not Knowing the blond-haired May is a Jew; Fugler offers them a huge sum to perform one show in Berlin. Once in Germany, the troupe discovers that the show is an exclusive performance for Hitler himself. As Fugler, Harold, and the troupe's lives become intertwined, Harold is faced with a choice: either keep his Jewishness a secret for the sake of his dreams or, ironically, own up to who he really is in order to escape.

Director: Shira Piven
Producer: Jeremy Piven, Daniel Finkelman, Chaya Amor, Jenny Shakeshaft, Geno Taylor
Screenwriter: Shira Piven, Josh Salzberg
Distributor: GVN Releasing
Production Co: Daniel Finkelman Films, Sparks Go
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 52m