Todd Field’s latest feature film, Tár, is a stirring drama that tells the story of Lydia Tarr, one of the greatest living composers of her time. Starring Cate Blanchett in the lead role, the film follows Lydia as she navigates the complex world of classical music, and the ruthless force that threatens to abuse its power. After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the film was met with a standing ovation for six minutes, and has since been hailed as one of Blanchett’s greatest performances. The film is now available to rent on all major streaming services, and is the latest in a long line of successes from the actor-turned-director, Todd Field.
Field first burst onto the Hollywood scene in the early 2000s with his five-time Oscar-nominated directorial debut, In the Bedroom. The film was almost doomed before it could get off the ground when it was acquired by Miramax Films, and the heads of the distribution company demanded a number of layoffs. But Field’s film was saved thanks to Tom Cruise’s step-by-step advice, which he received while working with Cruise on Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut. The Days of Thunder star instructed Field to beat the distribution company, and Field followed his advice to a T. In the Bedroom was released and earned more than twenty-five times its budget, and was nominated for Best Picture.
Field’s second film, Little Children in 2006, was also critically acclaimed and well-received upon its release. But after the film’s success, the director spent almost 16 years in development hell on multiple projects before finally releasing Tár to theaters. Now, the film is being hailed as another winner for the director, and could finally bring him the golden Oscar he’s been dancing around for so many years.
director Todd Field made a triumphant return to the world of cinema with his powerful film “Katran” after an almost 17-year hiatus. The actor-turned-director burst onto the Hollywood scene in the early 2000s with his five-time Oscar-nominated directorial debut In the Bedroom. But his career was almost doomed before he could get off the ground when the film was acquired by Miramax Films. The heads of the distribution company, brothers Bob and (now disgraced) Harvey Weinstein, demanded a number of layoffs. According to Field, his film was saved thanks to Tom Cruise’s step-by-step advice.
Todd Field recently told The New Yorker about his career, during which he said he met Tom Cruise when he starred with him in Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut. While on set, Field told the Days of Thunder star that he had an idea for a film based on Andre Dubus’ 1979 short story The Murders, but didn’t believe he could get the rites. Cruz reportedly told him he was “apologising” and “got it.” Field followed the sage advice (which, as you know, Cruise gives to his fellow actors), which led to the making of the movie In the Bedroom. However, after the film was acquired by Miramax Pictures, a distraught Todd called Cruise. The Taps actor continued to instruct Field, and the process was quite specific:
I was crying in the bathroom… I called Tom Cruise and said, “Something terrible has happened.” He basically said, “That’s how it’s played. It will take you six months to beat him, but you have to do exactly what I tell you, step by step. Let Weinstein cut it into strips, wait for it to test badly, and then get the raves out of Sundance and invite him to release it just as he bought it.”
He followed him To Tom Cruise tips to a T, and the movie In the Bedroom was released because it was bought by Miramax. The film earned more than twenty-five times its budget and was nominated for Best Picture, as well as receiving four other nominations. His second film Little Kids in 2006 was also critically acclaimed and well received upon its release. It won Best Actress for star Kate Winslet, Best Supporting Actor for Jackie Earle Haley, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Field, who adapted it from Tom Perrotta’s novel of the same name.
After the release of “Little Children” and the reception it received, it was possible to imagine that the director would quickly supplement his second film with another project. The sky seemed to be the limit for the famous indie author. However, Todd Field spent almost 16 years in development hell on multiple projects before finally releasing Tár to theaters. And the film starring Cate Blanchett deserved praise.
The film tells the story of Lydia Tarr (played by Cate Blanchett), who is considered one of the greatest living composers of her time. She is also the first woman to become the chief conductor of a German orchestra. However, everything becomes unclear when a musical ruthless force is accused of abusing his power. The premiere of the drama took place at the Venice Film Festival, after which the screening was followed by a standing ovation for six minutes. Since its release, critics have noted Blanchett’s performances as strong and subtle, making her a front-runner this awards season.
Todd Field definitely has another winner this year. But despite being underwhelmed by his latest feature film, he certainly hasn’t forgotten his directorial debut. And one would think he would be eternally grateful to Tom Cruise for helping him undo the changes Harvey Weinstein and company made. tried to do so.
Tár was released in theaters on October 7, but is now available to rent on all major streaming services. Last year, Blanchet joined the cast of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, and next year is set to star in the film adaptation of Eli Roth’s Borderlands. Tar may be one of her greatest performances (but there are so many great Cate Blanchett movies to choose from). It could also finally bring director Todd Field the golden Oscar he’s been dancing around for so many years.
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