Spoiler Alert: Let's Talk About the Ending of Tar

Tar (2022) 

Directed by Todd Field 

Written by Todd Field 

Starring Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss, Noemie Merlant, Mark Strong 

Release Date October 7th, 2022 

Published October 31st, 2022 

In Theaters Now... 

What is writer-director Todd Field trying to say in his new movie, Tar? There are a myriad of readings currently being debated online and each seems to have some merit. There is, in the end, no right answer. If we separate the art from the artist, then what Todd Field is trying to say doesn't matter as much as how we interpret what he is saying. My interpretation of Tar is a mixed bag of evocative and provocative ideas and low humor that only occasionally lands. 

Tar stars Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tar, a famed conductor. Lydia is about to achieve a lifelong dream, to have conducted recordings of the work of Conductor Gustav Mahler. Sitting at the head of the table at the Berlin Orchestra, Lydia believes that conducting Mahler's 5th Symphony will cement a legacy built over a life time crawl to the top in merciless pursuit of the comforts and adoration of fame. Lydia Tar has cut metaphorical throats to get where she is and yet she doesn't realize how tenuous her grasp on power truly is. 

In this article I am going to wander around within several ideas and presentations in Tar that struck me after watching it. I will be employing spoilers and since I am recommending that you see Tar, if you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to jump off and come back after you see it. Tar is not so much a movie that can be 'spoiled' in the traditional sense but I do believe the experience of Tar is one better served by not knowing where the story is going. 

Lydia Tar is a conductor of an orchestra, specifically, the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic. The role of Conductor is an interesting one, rich with meaning and teeming with questions. What exactly is the function of a conductor? Why is a conductor necessary? Why do conductors get so much credit for directing the performance of people doing the actual, physical work of the orchestra? Tar is not direct about answering these questions though they are explored a little when we see Lydia in her work environment. 

The conductor of an orchestra brings order to chaos. It's a fantasy of power with a group of exceptionally talented people at the top of their field all at the mercy and direction of a wand wielding egotist. The musician may have the talent to make transcendent music from their instrument but no matter their talent, they are at the mercy and whim of someone not playing an instrument. Naturally, Lydia Tarr conducts her life as she conducts her orchestra, furiously exerting control, rigidly demanding conformity to her will. This, of course, is her downfall. 

The things that Lydia Tarr cannot control or conduct to her will, she ignores. Out of sight, out of mind is the substance of her worldview, especially when it comes to the discordant troubles in her life. One such trouble is a former student with whom Lydia may or may not have had an affair with. Lydia abruptly cut ties with the student and in doing so, harmed the woman's career and education. The former student is spiraling into depression according to glimpses of emails to Lydia's assistant, played by Noemie Merlant. 

Lydia cannot control this situation so she ignores it until a tragedy occurs. Even then, Lydia is unrepentant, and continues to avoid the problem, a privilege often conferred upon the powerful, the ability to turn their back on their problems via their privilege. A theme presented throughout Tar is Lydia's growing sensitivity to noise. The clicking pen of her orchestra colleague, a metronome left ticking in a cupboard, and other such seemingly insignificant noises become a torture to Lydia's psyche. 

Click here for my full length article at Geeks.Media 

Movie Review Little Children

Little Children (2006) 

Directed by Todd Field 

Written by Todd Field, Todd Perrotta 

Starring Patrick Wilson, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Jackie Earl Haley, Noah Emmerich

Release Date October 6th, 2006

Published October 12th, 2006 

Before the release of his astonishing debut feature In The Bedroom writer director Todd Field was an anonymous actor best known for a small role as a piano player in Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut. Field has said that it was that experience watching Stanley Kubrick, getting to ask the master questions and peer over his shoulder that inspired him to move ahead with In The Bedroom.

As life changing experiences go, that's a pretty good one. Now with his second feature Little Children, Todd Field cements his rising auteur status with another self assured examination of suburban angst that is part American Beauty but all Todd Field.

Kate Winslet heads a terrific ensemble in Little Children as  Sarah, a bored housewife trapped in a lousy marriage with a three year old daughter she simply can't connect with. Sarah spends her days with her daughter, watching her play alone as other kids run around. Sarah sits to the side listening to the clucking of fellow stay at home moms who dote on their kids and make catty comments about strangers.

Then in walks the prom king, a nickname given to a handsome young stay at home dad none of the mothers has the nerve to talk to. His name is Brad (Patrick Wilson) and to break up the monotony of her routine, Sarah decides to engage him. The meeting goes further than either would have imagined as Sarah explains to Brad his nickname and the two of them decide to shock the other mothers with a hug and a kiss.

Brad is married to Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) a stunningly beautiful documentary filmmaker that any man would count himself lucky to be with. However, somehow he finds himself attracted to the far less striking, though not unattractive Sarah. The two began to spend time together taking their kids to the local pool and the park. Eventually the friendship becomes an affair and things begin to get out of control.

On the periphery of Sarah and Brad's relationship is the story of a sex offender who has moved into their neighborhood. His name is Ronald (Jackie Earl Haley) and though the nature of his crime is unknown, he is fresh from prison and on the sex offender list. A retired cop, and friend of Brad's, Larry (Noah Emmerich); has made protecting the neighborhood from Ronald his new mission in life. As you can probably imagine, this subplot is headed for an explosion that will collide with Sarah and Brad. There is however, nothing easily predicted about Little Children.

Field is an observant director who finds story in the details of peoples lives. His attention to detail in Little Children is at times darkly humorous, as in a scene where Winslet observes her fellow mothers with the eye of an anthropologist and it is heartbreaking as when Winslet and Wilson share that kiss in the park and find everything that has been missing in their mundane routine lives.

Suburban angst became quite fashionable after American Beauty won best picture. Suddenly, peeling back the veneer of those manicured lawns and white picket fences became a quick, clever shorthand for Hollywood writers. The results were often mere ripoffs. Todd Field's own In The bedroom was essentially one of those films and with its quiet dignity and devastating twists it broke the mold. Now with Little Children Field plows the same rich soil and once again delivers unique insight and characters.

Little Children is unexpectedly sexy as Winslet and Wilson engage in some of this years most erotic love scenes. These scenes have a sweat soaked intensity and emotional acuity that they go beyond being merely sexual in context and become dramatic expressions of angst, heartache and longing. So much modern movie sex is about the exposure of good looking actors, the love scenes in Little Children feel essential in getting to the core of these characters.

Kate Winslet is the standout of a terrific ensemble. Though dressed down to seem dowdy and bookish, Winslet remains effortlessly sexy and inviting. As Iris her eyes sparkle with intelligence wounded by years of underachievement. This is a woman who finds herself married and a mother and realizes that these are things she never wanted for herself. Her relationship with Brad is the one outlet she has for the angst of these realizations and that brings an intensity to the relationship that aches from the screen.

Patrick Wilson puts to rest the whining weakling performance from Phantom Of The Opera and shows a talent for playing a good looking cipher without it seeming like just another dumb actor not really actiing. Jackie Earl Haley rounds out the main cast with a devastating performance as Ronald the convicted child molester. This is a role of great depth and sadness and Haley plays it with a wounded animal's ferocity.

Little Children is a smart, darkly humorous and observant human drama that features career best performances from each of its ensemble players. With In The Bedroom and Little Children leading his resume he has cemented a burgeoning reputation as one of the next generation of auteurs. I can't wait to see what Todd Field does next.