There’s a small, albeit vocal, pushback going on in regards to Todd Field’s “TÁR.”
Nicolas Rapold's latest episode of his podcast, which I highly recommend, had Film Comment/ArtForum’s Amy Taubin as a guest. Taubin skipped Cannes these last two years due to COVID, and on Rapold’s podcast shared some of her NYFF highlights. She couldn’t stop raving about “EO” and had very kind words for Schrader, Simon, Poitras’ latest films. However, she absolutely HATED “TÁR”:
It's a dreadful movie, it has to be one of the stupidest movies I have seen in long time. It's absolutely a one note movie … it's turns into one of the most racist shit I have ever seen in a serious movie. I loathed this movie and I think her performance is terrible.
I can’t really write about what she particularly thought was “racist” because it would give away the ending. However, if the character of Lydia is indeed racist, which I find to be a dubious claim, that has nothing to do with the film itself, but the character. Flawed characters are a thing, Amy. They can be unsympathetic.
There are far more “racist” movies released every year. In fact, I don’t believe the criticism should apply to “TÁR” at all. It’s a very odd way for Taubin to describe this film. You can point out some fair flaws about the film (which I loved), but this isn’t one of them.
Taubin isn’t alone in her distaste for the film either. Other critics who’ve derided “TÁR” the last week or so include Manhola Dargis, Richard Brody, Keith Uhlich, Kyle Smith and Rex Reed.
Brody’s review is an interesting one. I’ll let our reader, Manny, describe it to you, he really explains Brody’s politically-motivated pan of the film:
“Did you read Richard Brody's review of TÁR? I'm fine with the guy having contrarian opinions, but the way he uses his review to essentially defend cancel culture and identity politics (he makes sure to preface both concepts with the adjective "so-called") is the most New Yorker thing ever. It's emblematic of this really patronizing form of liberalism that seeks to defend minorities by justifying the ideological excesses of white progressives and their handful of non-white friends. In defending those excesses, the writer feels as though he is also defending minorities. (As you know, all minorities think the exact same way white progressives do! Just ask Hispanics in Zapata County or Muslim parents in Dearborn!)”
Brody and Taubin are, of course, a minority in a sea of raves. “TÁR” is one of the most acclaimed movies of the year and it is not racist.
Netflix and Skydance Animation have also called it quits. The two sides announced Monday that they're ending the animated film deal struck back in 2023, framing it as a mutual decision.