Performance (TV Series) Summer Day's Dream (1994) User Reviews

Difficult to Find Emily Watson Early Treasure

[JohnLeeT · 10/10 · 18 October 2013]

The film itself is only worth the effort of finding in order to witness the very early brilliance of Ms. Emily Watson. Her role is small but she shines so blindingly that there is clear evidence that we are witnessing something very, very special happen as Watson blooms before our very eyes into the supremely gifted genius who has become recognized as the finest actor of our time. Other actors might be lost within the group of actors in this motion picture but there is something so special about Ms. Watson that she can't begin to contain the stunning gifts bursting forth from within her soul. Each performance recorded in front of the cameras has been breathtakingly magnificent and it is interesting to watch that greatness first explode onto the screen in this early modest effort. Of the film itself there is little to say and it is certainly only the presence of the incomparable Emily Watson that makes it worthy of any note at all. However, Watson alone is reason enough to seek out this film and treat oneself to one of the earliest examples of what was to become the most phenomenal career in cinema history. Critics may not always be kind to every film in which Watson has appeared but they have uniformly raved about her performances without exception. So, even this little noticed motion picture is lifted from obscurity by the mere appearance of this living gem, this national treasure, in an early display of the wondrous gifts of Ms. Emily Watson, actor of beauty, passion, and extraordinary limitless depth and power.

Gielgud and Harris sold it even though it wasn't worth the purchase.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 2 September 2022]

A well acted episode of the British anthology series "Performance" as soon as I can is memorable simply because of the performances, particularly by British stage legends John Gielgud and Rosemary Harris. The aging Gielgud and daughter Harris are living with younger family members when they take in three foreigners as house guests. A world war has left England under the control of a new world order made up from different governments and Harris discovers that the three visitors are there for a secret agenda. It's obvious that their presence could disturb whatever element of peace they have left, so they must fight for their home and any remaining freedom they have.

There are a lot of interesting conversations between Gielgud, Harris, their family members and the visitors, especially between one of the younger family members and a very stern young Russian female officer. Like Ninotchka, the feeling of being on the receiving side of love begins to open her up from her placid ways, and she goes from her staunch uniform to more relaxed country clothing, and her newfound womanly feelings threaten to change her in every way. Very theatrical, like a videotaped stage play, this takes a while to really get off the ground, although Gielgud and Harris are absolutely mesmerizing. I'm not sure that this would work even on stage for more than a limited run, but fortunately, it's not extremely long and we'll photographed. Still it's a theme where there seems to be no positive solution so it ends up being a bit depressing.