The movie Tár, directed by Todd Field, received seven nominations for the Oscars, including one for the renowned actress Cate Blanchett, who played the lead character Lydia Tár. Despite critical acclaim upon its release in October in the United States, the movie failed to perform well at the box office. So, if you’re wondering what the movie is about, who Lydia Tár is, and whether it’s worth watching for over two-and-a-half hours, fret not, as we’ve got you covered.

How many Oscar nominations did Tar bag?

Tár, Todd Field’s psychological drama about a besieged orchestra conductor, has been nominated for seven Academy Awards. Best Feature, Best Director for Todd Field, Best Actress for Cate Blanchett, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Filmed Editing are among the nominees.

More on the plot

Lydia Tár is a fictional character, played by Blanchett, who portrays the first female chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. She’s a rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner, world-renowned, immensely talented, and a fashionista who dons fabulous coats. However, the character has been portrayed as having inappropriate sexual relationships with two former students, one of whom is now her assistant, while the other is her stalker. Additionally, she’s also seen taking an interest in a young cellist.

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Blanchett prepared for the role by playing the piano, which she had learned as a child, and learning German. The Dresden Philharmonic orchestra stood in for the Berlin Philharmonic in the film. Blanchett had the support of Wolfgang Hentrich, the first concertmaster of the orchestra, and was coached by London-based Australian conductor Natalie Murray Beale.

Blanchett has managed to establish herself as a lesbian icon due to her portrayal of Lydia Tár in Tár and her memorable turn in the romantic drama Carol. Responding to her icon status, Blanchett said that she didn’t know what it meant, but it was nice and that she would take it.

Blanchett won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a movie drama and Best Actress at the Critics’ Choice Awards. During her acceptance speech at the Critic’s Choice Awards, she called for a celebration of women’s achievements and described awards ceremonies as a “televised horse race.” Although her call for recognition is unlikely to impact her chances of winning an Oscar, it is clear that Blanchett is in the running for her third Academy Award win after 2005 (The Aviator) and 2014 (Blue Jasmine).

Apart from the Best Picture, the movie is also nominated in the categories of cinematography, film editing, and original screenplay. Tár premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2022 and received a six-minute standing ovation. The movie has generated a lot of buzz and even spawned parody social media accounts and theories about its final act.

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In conclusion, Tár is a movie that showcases Cate Blanchett’s incredible acting talent and her ability to portray complex characters. The film’s storyline is unique and deals with sensitive topics such as inappropriate sexual relationships and the exploitation of power. Tár’s nominations for the Oscars in multiple categories, including Best Picture, reflect the quality of the movie and the effort put into its creation. Tár is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates great acting and a compelling storyline.