sit through -- despite some first-rate performances by its lead 
(ROOT (S (VP (VB sit) (ADVP (RP through)) (, --) (PP (IN despite) (NP (NP (DT some) (NML (JJ first) (HYPH -) (NN rate)) (NNS performances)) (PP (IN by) (NP (PRP$ its) (NN lead))))))))
(ROOT (S (VP (VB ) (ADVP (RP )) (, ) (PP (IN ) (NP (NP (DT ) (NML (JJ ) (HYPH ) (NN )) (NNS )) (PP (IN ) (NP (PRP$ ) (NN ))))))))