labored performance

[/ˈleɪbərd pərˈfɔːrməns/]
nounpl: labored performances
desempenho forçado
1. A performance that appears difficult, strained, or lacking in naturalness; acting or execution that shows excessive effort and seems unnatural or unconvincing
The actor's labored performance in the dramatic scene made the audience uncomfortable.
O desempenho forçado do ator na cena dramática deixou a plateia desconfortável.
2. Any artistic or professional execution that demonstrates visible struggle, lack of ease, or artificial effort
The comedian's labored performance fell flat because the jokes felt forced.
O desempenho forçado do comediante não funcionou porque as piadas pareciam forçadas.
This term is commonly used in entertainment criticism in both Brazilian and American contexts. In Brazil, theater and cinema critics frequently use 'desempenho forçado' to critique actors who lack subtlety. In the USA, 'labored performance' is standard critical vocabulary used in reviews of film, theater, and musical performances. It suggests a lack of authenticity, which is particularly valued in contemporary acting styles emphasizing naturalism.
NYC Slang
tough act; rough showing
Synonyms / Sinônimos
strained performanceforced performanceawkward performancestilted performanceartificial performance
Antonyms / Antônimos
effortless performancenatural performancefluid performancesmooth performancepolished performance

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
desempenho forçado
Most common and widely understood term
Brazil - Casual
atuação artificial
Alternative casual usage, emphasizing artificiality
São Paulo
performance forçada
More contemporary, uses English word 'performance'
Portugal
desempenho penoso
Portuguese preference for 'penoso' (painful/arduous) instead of 'forçado'

Related Words

overactingaffected mannertheatrical excesshamming it upstraindifficulty

Related Idioms & Phrases

struggling through a performance
pulling teeth (similar concept of difficulty)
forcing it
it didn't flow
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →