December 7, 2022 – This is one of those “what the hell did I just watch” movies because it all seems so real, yet it is a complete work of fiction. I know, because I just spent an hour trying to find out about the real Lydia Tár, the film's main character, and it turns out she doesn't exist, but somehow, it seems like she really does exist.

Cate Blanchett (“Nightmare Alley”) stars as Lydia Tár, the brilliant EGOT-winning composer conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Blanchett breathes such life into this character that it looks like she could step out of the screen the way that Tom Baxter did in “The Purple Rose of Cairo.”

As the movie opens, Lydia is being interviewed by Adam Gopnik of the New Yorker (playing himself). The conversation seems to be incredibly erudite and witty. Lydia possesses a remarkable wit and wide range of knowledge, not just about music, but many subjects. Jetting around the world, she seems very much in control of her life, including her wife and First Violinist in the orchestra, Sharon Goodnow (Nina Hoss of “The Contractor”) and Petra (played by Mila Bogojevic) their adopted daughter.

In another scene, we see Lydia as a guest lecturer at Juilliard use her wit and intelligence to completely destroy the arguments of a student, Max (Zethphan Smith-Gneist) who doesn't like Mozart's music because Mozart was not politically correct. Max becomes so angry he calls her a bitch and leaves the room. In another scene, we see Lydia intimidate a young schoolgirl, Johanna (Alma Löhr) who has been bothering Petra.

Psychological warfare aside, everything seems to be sailing along smoothly, as Lydia's book is about to be released and she is preparing to record Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 to complete a planned Mahler boxed set. Storm clouds soon appear on Lydia's horizon. Rumors are circulating on social media that Lydia's employment practices, hiring, firing and promotions are being used by her to obtain sexual favors.

These rumors are also connected to a conductor (and former member of Lydia's fellowship program) Krista Taylor (Sylvia Flote) who commits suicide. There are hints that Lydia damaged Taylor's job chances because Taylor refused to submit to Lydia's desires. When Lydia decides to replace her longtime assistant conductor Sebastian Brix (Allan Corduner of “Topsy Turvy”) he accuses her of replacing him with a woman she is infatuated with.

Lydia had indeed planned to replace Sebastian with her very competent, young, pretty assistant, Francesca Lentini (Noémie Merlant of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”). Lydia decides this is too risky, because of the rumors, and decides not to promote Francesca. This turns Francesca against her. Francesca has in her possession incriminating emails showing how Lydia torpedoed the career of the late Krista Taylor.

Lydia becomes infatuated with Olga Metkina (Sophie Kauer) a new cello player, and immediately installs her as a soloist in an upcoming concert, rudely bypassing the lead cellist in the Berlin Philharmonic. There are hints in the film that virtually all of Lydia's personal relationships are transactional. Power has gone to Lydia's head and the way she exercises her power is becoming more reckless and destructive.

In the final minutes of the film, her life and marriage fall apart, and she loses her position. She starts hearing things at night, and she even physically attacks another conductor. She ends up, rather ignominiously, conducting an orchestra for an audience of Asian cosplaying gamers for a screening of “Monster Hunter: World.”

This is a spectacular fall from power, made believable by Cate Blanchett's fantastic performance. I have to chime in with the others I have read who indicate Blanchett is now the favorite to win the Best Actress Oscar next year. This is a brilliantly written, directed and acted film that is more believable than some recent films that are based on fact.

Much of the credit for this goes to writer/director Todd Field (“Little Children”) and Blanchett, and the other lead actors. I also enjoyed the performance of Mark Strong (“Shazam!”) for his portrayal as the much abused and belittled amateur conductor who manages Lydia's fellowship program. This is one of the best films of 2022. It rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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