A Review of the Film Tar

Classical music enthusiasts might be drawn to the 2022 film Tar, which centers around the character of Lydia Tar, a widely respected composer in the classical music world. The film showcases an impressive performance by the talented Cate Blanchette, who fully embodies the role of the enigmatic and sometimes volatile Lydia. However, the film has received mixed reviews due to its lack of a cohesive storyline and the prevalence of repetitive scenes.

Blanchette's performance as Lydia Tar is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the film. She delivers several lengthy monologues with ease, demonstrating her exceptional acting skills. Blanchette fully immerses herself in the character, controlling her voice and tempo to match Lydia's personality. Her portrayal of Lydia is so convincing that it becomes clear why no one would want to mess with her.

The other members of the cast, including Nina Hoss, Noemie Merlant, Mark Strong, Julian Glover, and Allan Corduner, do an admirable job with their roles. However, like Lydia, the other characters in the film are not fully developed. The filmmakers chose to take a more subtle approach, allowing viewers to figure out the plot for themselves. While this can be an effective tactic in some films, it doesn't work well in Tar. Many viewers are left confused and unsure about what exactly is happening in the story.

The filmmaking in Tar is impressive, with Todd Field utilizing astute camera techniques to make Lydia an intimidating presence. The camera is always in Lydia's perspective, making her the subject of all conversations. In one memorable scene, Lydia teaches a class and puts a student on the spot, walking around the room happily appealing to her intellect of classical music. This scene is achieved in one conceivable shot, which is a testament to the film's exceptional cinematography.

Despite the impressive filmmaking, it is difficult to fully comprehend the plot of Tar. The story seems to revolve around Lydia's increasing paranoia and anxiety, but it's unclear what exactly she's afraid of. She gets up every night searching for a noise, and there's a scene where she hears a woman screaming in the park. These repetitive sequences of Lydia working on music, going out for a run, conducting an orchestra rehearsal, and having lunch with a colleague, only to wake up to a strange noise in the middle of the night, are confusing and don't seem to add up to anything.

Additionally, there's a subplot involving Lydia's neighbor, which seems disconnected from the rest of the story. The feud between Lydia and her neighbor is never fully explained, and there's a strange scene where Lydia has to help her neighbor's naked mother sit back on a toilet. This subplot is not necessary and takes away from the more intriguing elements of the film.

One of the most significant flaws of Tar is the prevalence of unanswered questions. The film leaves viewers hanging with many unresolved plot points, including the history of the student who is harassing Lydia. It's unclear why Lydia was attacked and what kind of person the student is. Did she manipulate a student into apparent suicide? These questions are never answered, and the lack of clarity in the film's storyline is frustrating.

Overall, Tar is a film that is hard to categorize. It has its impressive moments, particularly Blanchette's performance and the stunning cinematography. However, the lack of a coherent storyline and the prevalence of repetitive scenes make it difficult to fully engage with the film. While some viewers may find it disturbing, it's unclear what exactly is unsettling about the story. Ultimately, Tar is a film that raises more questions than it answers, and it's unlikely to be a crowd-pleaser.