Tár

⭐6.5/10

Let me tell you a story. We had some friends over who we sometimes watch movies with, and because they are Movie People, I convinced them to watch this movie that my trusted friend said was the best movie in history. We put it on, and after 45 minutes, I literally had to stop the movie and be like, I'm sorry guys, we can watch something good now. Still, I wanted to give this movie a fair shake, so I watched it while folding laundry the next day. A laundry movie!!

So yeah, don't trust what Tim says. This is not a Whiplash, this is not a There Will be Blood. This is a Madmen!!! This is THREE HOURS of watching annoying, bad rich people do absolutely nothing. Yes, the sets are beautiful and meticulously designed, yes the costumes are impeccable, yes the acting is wonderful. But man, I was just begging these people to please pull out a gun and do a murder or something??

The opening scenes undoubtedly are a slog to get through, especially when you're with friends whom you promised a good movie. It's these long, drawn out conversations in which these pretentious elites talk in riddles about stuff you don't really understand. Like after 45 minutes, we were literally 3 scenes in, in which nary an emotion was felt. There were no hints at any type of plot or conflict. It was rough. 

The movie picks up a *little* as you go along. You kinda get what it's about, with a bit of conflict surfacing, especially in the final thirty minutes. But I still wouldn't call it super interesting. I just don't really like these kinds of movies. 

I guess I should highlight some positives, because after my expectations were properly adjusted, I did find some enjoyment in that final half. I did love the set design and costumes for sure. The whole upper-class artsy aesthetic was very strong, things like Tar's exposed cement apartment, these minimalist concert halls. I loved Berlin as a setting, and the whole mix of European culture. 

I will also admit I found some of the character stuff fascinating at times. Blanchett was terrific of course, and I think like Tim said, I think you always know what her character is, yet it's interesting to learn more about it. Her helping out the old lady was pretty telling to me, one of the more interesting moments. I also agree the ending had some interesting things to think about. I actually spent some time wondering if she was doing it to have a job, or if she really does love the music. If a movie has you thinking past the credits, it's done sometime right. 

Still, I just can't recommend this movie to anyone besides the snoodiest of film fans. It's long, it's boring. I don't want to say it's pretentious because I don't really like that criticism... But it's also kinda pretentious. 

We turned on in The Abyss afterwards, which I didn't love, but also like a hundred people die in the opening scene. I sat back and breathed out a sigh of relief. Now this is cinema!!