Tár review
Cate Blanchett delivered a powerhouse performance in Tár. Image courtesy of Focus Features.
Written & Directed by Todd Field
Rating: ok 👌
A conductor (played by Cate Blanchett) at the top of her game is preparing her orchestra for an important recording. Her brilliance is never questioned, but her morals are questionable at best. Will the maestro learn to reciprocate the respect she so readily receives? Or will her egotistical philandering unravel her family and career?
Image courtesy of Focus Features.
Tár is a slow paced film about an unlikeable protagonist and her fascinating world. If you’re someone like me who listens to Classical KUSC and attends as many LA Philharmonic concerts as your schedule allows, then you will probably be disappointed that this film doesn’t include more music. Instead, the film feels like NPR come to life. Lots of soft spoken conversations that you’d expect to hear at an intellectual’s dinner party dominate the screen and it left me wanting more.
The portrayal of a female character entrenched in poor behavior associated with toxic masculinity was a refreshing take on the subject matter, but it didn’t stop me from wishing the end credits would roll well before the movie was over. But, if you make it to the end, Tár has one of the best ending scenes that I’ve ever seen.
Review written by Zianna Weston
