TÁR (2022)

Directed by Todd Field · Drama, Music

Starring Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss, Noémie Merlant, Sophie Kauer, Mila Bogojevic, Allan Corduner, Julian Glover, Mark Strong, Sylvia Flote, Fabian Dirr, Vincent Riotta, Sam Douglas, Lucie Pohl, Vivian Full, Lee Sellars, Ed White, Christoph Tomanek, Frank Röth, Diana Birenytė, André Röhner, Jessica Hansen, Murali Perumal, Sydney Lemmon, Dorothea Plans Casal, Jan Wolf, Peter Hering, Artjom Gilz, Marie-Lou Sellem, Marie-Anne Fliegel, Jasmine Leung, Chalee Sricharoen, Lydia Schamschula, Tilla Kratochwil, Zethphan Smith-Gneist, Adam Gopnik, Alec Baldwin

IHBM7.5Very good

Renowned musician Lydia Tr is days away from recording the symphony that will elevate her career. However, Lydia's elaborate facade begins to unravel, revealing dirty secrets and the corrosive nature of power.

My review · Reviewed 02/04/2023

There is so much to like about this film. First and foremost, Cate Blanchett goes off. While she is great in everything, I haven't seen her elevate a film in this manner since she saved Blue Jasmine from mediocrity. One of the things that I really liked about the film is how - from the very first scenes - it is clearly in no hurry to unpack. The movie is allowed to stretch its proverbial legs and settle in, and the audience is given an extended look into Blanchett's character and past. While the movie's main themes center around the abuse of power, exploitation, etc, I found myself spending more time thinking about the choices that the director made. I think that he did a fabulous job constructing the movie, and I especially love that he didn't dumb the movie down for less discerning viewers. There is a lot in this movie, if you want it. I recently heard a phrase used in a movie review that fits this movie: I envied it more than I liked it. I loved the first hour and as the movie went on I became less enthused. I always feel weird expressing these kinds of sentiments for a movie that has an important message. But this is a movie and not a documentary so the entertainment factor has to be considered at some point. The film is always interesting but isn't always gripping.