the film works as well as it does because of the performances . 
(ROOT (S (NP (DT the) (NN film)) (VP (VBZ works) (ADVP (ADVP (RB as) (RB well)) (SBAR (IN as) (S (NP (PRP it)) (VP (VBZ does))))) (PP (IN because) (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NNS performances)))) (. .)))
(ROOT (S (NP (DT ) (NN )) (VP (VBZ ) (ADVP (ADVP (RB ) (RB )) (SBAR (IN ) (S (NP (PRP )) (VP (VBZ ))))) (PP (IN ) (IN ) (NP (DT ) (NNS )))) (. )))