The new trailer for the Cate Blanchett vehicle Tár shows off the powerhouse performance that has earned her Oscar buzz. Blanchett is an actress known for her versatility and range, with her abilities spanning from thrillers like 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley to dramas like 2015's Carol to TV miniseries like FX's Mrs. America, in which her performance as historical figure Phyllis Schlafly where she earned her first Emmy nomination. She has also proven able to slip back and forth between arthouse dramas and big budget blockbusters with ease, with some of her major credits including playing Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and appearing as the villain Hela in Taika Waititi's MCU debut Thor: Ragnarok.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Tár features Blanchett back in Oscarbait mode, playing a composer named Lydia Tár who is the first female chief conductor of a prestigious European orchestra. The film will follow her as her hubris and passion lead her to greater heights and a potential precipitous drop. The film is the first directorial feature from celebrated filmmaker Todd Field after 2006's Little Children, a Tom Perrotta adaptation that ended up being nominated for three Oscars, including a Best Actress nomination for its lead, Kate Winslet. In addition to Blanchett, Tár stars Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss, Sophie Kauer, Julian Glover, Allan Corduner, and Kingsman: The Secret Service's Mark Strong.
Today, Focus Features unveiled a brand-new official trailer for Tár. The clip opens with a speech introducing the title character, over a variety of shots that showcase Lydia's obsession with perfection. The tension then begins to build as she struggles to write a new piece, becoming overwhelmed by sensitivity to noise. Check out the trailer below:
Could Cate Blanchett Win An Oscar for Tár?
Even before this trailer premiered, Tár already staked a claim as one with a significant amount of Oscar buzz, and is certain to receive its share of nominations during the coming awards season. At the very least, many of the most respected prognosticators put Blanchett as a top choice for a Best Actress nomination. Although the exact nature of her competition won't be known until the Oscar nominations are officially announced, it could potentially include Viola Davis for The Woman King, Olivia Colman for Empire of Light, and Michelle Williams for Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans.
Blanchett is a seven-time Oscar nominee (including earning nominations for Lead Actress and Supporting Actress for two different movies in the same year) but has only won twice. Her first win was for Supporting Actress in 2004's The Aviator, followed by taking home Lead Actress for 2013's Blue Jasmine, meaning that by the time the Oscars roll around, it will have been nine years since her last win. The Academy may find her deserving of another win after so much time, and so far Tár's early reviews have talked up her performance so much that it seems most critics agree. While it's hardly a lock, it looks like Blanchett is certainly in the running with the performance this new trailer shows off.