This film gives us a peek behind the velvet curtain of the world of classical music, musicians, and the conductor at the podium. As a classical music fan, albeit not an aficionado, I really enjoyed the beautiful music and watching the scenes of the daily life of the orchestra members. Watching how “the sausage is made” runs the inevitable risk of making one lose their appetite for it, and seeing the political-side of classical music performances definitely dulled its sheen a bit for me. The plot thickens as the unseemly, narcissistic side of the title character, Lydia Tar, is peeled back layer by layer revealing that, irrespective of age, gender, culture, hetero or homosexual identity, the biblical Proverb that “Pride goeth before a fall” is as true today as it ever was. Power corrupts…
Blanchett’s performance is an absolute work of art. She certainly deserved to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.