TÁR is a newly released film starring Cate Blanchett as the title character. Directed by Todd Field, the film follows the life, legacy, and downfall of EGOT-winning, ego-driven conductor-composer Lydia Tár. Since its premiere at Venice Film Festival, TÁR has been subject to near-universal praise, including a six-minute standing ovation (per Deadline), with many deeming Blanchett's performance Oscar-worthy. Considering that the film has already taken home quite a few accolades, we can look forward to it have a long and successful awards season ahead.

TÁR, interestingly enough, has been widely marketed as a biopic, with media and movie-goers alike speaking about Lydia as if she is a real person, and that the film seeks to share her tragic story and how she lost it all. The market for films based on true events is growing as the appeal to watch a dramatization of real events is high. In fact, some of the best-received films in recent years have been great biographical movies. Just last year, there was Spencer, Being the Ricardos, King Richard, and The Eyes of Tammy Faye, to name a few. When it comes to TÁR, the way in which the story is told has left audiences wondering: is Lydia Tár a real person?

Who is Lydia Tar?

Cate Blanchett in TÁR
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Lydia Tár is a world-renowned composer-conductor and the very first conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Lydia serves as a mentor and role model for young women hoping to become conductors, which is typically a male-dominated career. She even leads a fellowship program to help young women see beyond the superficial and look deeper into the music. Lydia's inappropriate behavior with one of her former students Krista comes back to haunt her when Krista commits suicide, leaving behind a note full of accusations against Lydia, which incites a legal battle between Lydia and Krista's parents. This kick-starts a number of events that wind up in the media, leading to protests surrounding Lydia's forthcoming book. Lydia's career and personal life unravel as her wife leaves her with their adopted daughter Petra.

Related: TÁR Review: Cate Blanchett Conducts the Performance of a Lifetime

Is Lydia Tár a Real Person?

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Considering the dramatic events of TÁR, it's not difficult to believe that Lydia Tár is a real person. While Tár is marketed as a biopic, she is not a real person. Between Blanchett's phenomenal performance of the cruel conductor, whose selfish behavior leads to her swift downfall, and the realistic riches to rags story, Field certainly did everything to make the film feel as real as possible (per The Cut). The way in which the film unfolds is enough to make any viewer believe that it is based on true events, which was done intentionally. In fact, many viewers admitted to being fooled into believing that Lydia Tár was a real person. Both the film and the marketing team are responsible for this phenomenal level of duping the audience into believing something to be true when it's not.

Related: Exclusive: Nina Hoss Talks TÁR, Cate Blanchett, and Todd Field

TÁR's Critical Reception

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While the film is not based on true events, that doesn't make TÁR any less of a modern masterpiece. With a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, TÁR has been subject to critical praise with particular attention towards Blanchett's performance as the title character. The film explores art and what can happen when power is taken advantage of. It received particular praise for its organic unfolding of events, making the two and a half hour run-time fly by. So far, since its premiere at Venice, TÁR has been nominated for several accolades, winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Blanchett at the Venice Film Festival, as well as Outstanding Performer of the Year at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Several other awards are still pending the outcome, but, considering its current track record, TÁR is almost guaranteed to take home more trophies this upcoming awards season.