Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Todd Field, Universal Pictures.
Described as a spectacular symphony, Tár stars Australia’s two-time Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett in the titular role of composer Lydia Tár.
In fact, earlier this month she won a Best Actress Golden Globe for her performance in this psychological drama. Blanchett (The Aviator, Blue Jasmine) is also the 2023 Critics Choice winner. Her chances of winning another Oscar in March are favourable.
Blanchett’s performance is riveting!
Tár – a brilliant but a blemished classical conductor – is widely considered to be one of the greatest living composer/conductors, and the first-ever female chief conductor of a major German orchestra. The film charts the downfall of the fictional composer and conductor.
Set in the international world of classical music, it follows Tár as she navigates her daily life and focuses on perfecting her latest symphony. She is seen promoting several new projects, including her upcoming live recording of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and a new book. She relies on Francesca Lentini (played by Noémie Merlant), her personal assistant and ex-paramour; and Sharon Goodnow (Nina Hoss), her wife and concertmaster. Lydia lunches with Eliot Kaplan (Mark Strong), an investment banker and amateur conductor who co-founded the Accordion Foundation with Lydia to support aspiring female conductors.
The film is not about classical music or conducting, but it examines the changing nature of power, its impact and durability in our modern world.
Tár is the third feature film from Todd Field, returning after his 2006 Academy Award-nominated film, Little Children, having also received Oscar nominations for his debut feature, In the Bedroom (2001).
It’s a film that eludes easy assessments and stimulates reasonable dialogue. Tár grips us and tensely engrosses. Nonetheless, it is haughtily knowledgeable as well.
Tár hits all the right notes, with Blanchett’s amazing performance, Field’s remarkable directorial skills and traditional music by Oscar-winning Icelandic composer-musician Hildur Guðnadóttir.
- Tár is in cinemas on 26 January
