Tár

Composer and conductor Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett) is a classical music superstar. Her acclaimed run as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic is about to reach its crescendo with a performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. But Tár also has a history of abusing her power. As investigations into Tár’s past behaviour begin, her professional and personal lives start spiralling out of control.

Writer / director Todd Field’s long-awaited follow-up to 2006’s Little Children, Tár is a masterfully-crafted portrait of a (fictional) composer. Cate Blanchett’s awards success is well-earned – she is utterly convincing and beguiling in the title role. Nina Hoss, meanwhile, offers a brilliantly restrained supporting performance as Lydia’s wife Sharon. Tár is simply a triumph.