Critics were unanimous in praise of Hodge's portrayal, "a great actor doing complete justice to a dark masterpiece", but some found Osborne's characterisation overdrawn and unrealistic, a flaw that Hodge's "enormous" performance could not redeem.

But even Mr. Palminteri's starring performance cannot redeem "Boss of Bosses," the tepid Mafia melodrama on TNT tomorrow night.

His performance on and after 9/11 redeemed him in the eyes of many people.

But the performance redeems "Jackie"; with steady-strummed electric guitar chords, a vocal that rises from quiet defiance to a sustained cry, and overlays of guitar feedback and ghostly voices, the song rides an ocean of noise.

When Bad Movies Happen to Good Actors - Jack Nicholson's freshest performance in years redeems the incoherent "Hoffa"; Robert Downey Jr. seems miraculously real in the plodding "Chaplin."

But even a better technical performance won't redeem the libelous psychological profile of Mr. Hartwig.

It doesn't amount to much on record, but perhaps a flamboyant live performance will redeem the music.

Not that he should clear off space on his mantel just yet: while Albert's generosity may compensate for his confusion, Mr. Garity's performance doesn't quite redeem this sorely lacking production.