TAR

US, 2022, 158 minutes, Colour.

Cate Blanchett, Noemie Merleant, Nina Hoss, Mark Strong, Sophie Kauer, Allan Corduner, Julian Glover.

Directed by Todd Field.

Lydia Tar, the fictitious central character, is an overwhelming personality, outstanding orchestra conductor, successful world career, although it has the potential to turn in on itself and destroy her. Cate Blanchett gives an overwhelming performance, on screen for over two and a half hours, a great performance. (and best seen on a big screen which matches Tar's personality).  Audiences have to pay attention, many characters coming and going, emotional surprises and tensions, a great deal of music (Mahler), reflections on conducting and musical theory.  A great number of short sequences (often 10 seconds, which moves the plot along, in danger of leaving us behind in trying to keep pace, to understand - but rewarding for those willing to be overwhelmed.

1. The title, the focus on Lydia Tár, her career, music, reputation, relationships, challenge and downfall?
2. The work of the director, writing, music, long gestation, fulfilment?
3. The tour de force performance by Cate Blanchett, powerful?
4. The length of the film, some very long sequences and takes, the contrast with so many very brief takes moving on the action?
5. The work of fiction, presented as real, Tár’s skill as a musician, musical theory, conducting, the initial television interview, Tár on stage, the question is, her poise, and, the summary of her career, international travels, research for music, the variety of orchestras for which she conducted? Her homebase in Berlin?
6. Lydia Tár as a person, age, experience, self-confidence, as illustrated in the long initial television interview? Her skill as a conductor, the power of the conducting sequences, her intensity? Her skills in music, composition, at the piano, the composition for Petra? Musical theory? Knowledge of the orchestra, the various illustrations of her understanding of instruments, performers, performance? Her relationship with Sharon, and embarrassed as a lesbian, the adoption of Petra, her love for Petra, talking, playing, to school, menacing the bully at school?
7. Lydia Tár and her professional life, based in Berlin, the Berlin sequences, rehearsals, interaction with various players? The interaction with Elliot, the conversations in New York, antagonism towards him, the confrontation later, the mad pushing him from the podium? Her motivations? Her comments about Sebastien, his role, ageing, her wanting to get rid of him, the consultations, the final confrontation, spurning him?
8. Lydia Tár and Francesca, assistant, the relationship between them, Francesca’s devotion, the episode with Krista Taylor, for Francesca, for Lydia? Francesca championing her, Krista Taylor has ambitions? Tár writing the emails, urging people not to employ her? The consequences, for Francesca, Krista Taylor suicide? The consequences, the interrogation of Tár, lawyers from New York, demanding the deposition, the meeting of the deposition in New York? Her defence?
9. The episode at Julliard, the attentive students, Max at the piano, performance, the discussions, her criticism of the composer, criticism of him? The other students attentive? Studying composition? Max and his reactions, nervous leg, back at the piano, Tár’s treatment of him, his reaction, abuse, walking out? The later online video of the class, selected editing, the Negro and Jewish comment about jazz, Tár’s reputation?
10. The discussions about her recordings, the Mahler symphonies, the fifth, the television interview about the fifth, a verbal expression of the power of the music, the intentions, discussions with the recording crew, with the orchestra, the rehearsals, Tár in her office, continually working on improving the performance? The discussions with the various members of the orchestra?
11. The relationship with Sharon, meeting, Sharon’s family, taciturn mother, with Petra in the house, Sharon’s love for Tár, Tár and the quality of her relationship with Sharon? Sharon’s first violinist, Tár consulting her, the discussions, the strategies?
12. Tár, the attraction towards Olga, Olga and the cello, Tár favouring her, introducing the Elgar composition, the audition for the cellist, the sitting cellist insulted, the audition, favouring Olga? Olga showing Tár her video? Olga as a person, the dingy area where she lived, Tár taking her out, the meal, the discussions, Olga is background in Russia, with the doll, Tár dropping her, going into the dingy area, her fall, the injuries to her face? Taking Olga to New York, the private jet, to carry her bags, wanting to take her out, Olga’s excuse, yet seeing her in the evening dress? Sharon and her reaction to Tár’s behaviour?
13. The performance, recording? The energy?
14. The revelation about Tár, the issue of grooming young musicians, relationships? The enquiries into her, deposition, criticisms, the Julliard video, the repercussions for Tár, her anger, Sharon not allowing her to pick up Petra from school, Sharon walking out, Tár and loss of confidence, the pills, her anger, pushing Elliot from the podium?
15. Going to Thailand, the class, the orchestra, the video game, conducting the orchestra?
16. Her fall, her future?