I’m officially obsessed with Todd Field’s 2022 classic film “Tar.”

My favorite films are those which portray people smarter than me solving complicated problems and making their way in life.

Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of a brilliant and complex international conductor is impossibly deep, layered, disturbing, inspiring and provocative. Every time I watch it (somewhere between 5 and 10 times now) I discover new meanings, new layers.

Because of the film I’m now rediscovering Mahler (or discovering him for the first time) after a lifetime of Bach, Chopin and Tchaikovsky.

Ms. Blanchett and Mr. Fields donate impossible: We see Lydia’s brilliance and her well honed narcissism, as well as the pain she causes as well as her guilt. We never grow to love her, but we do learn to understand her and even feel some compassion for her torrid soul.

With each viewing I gain more insight and inspiration. I feel that with Tar, Todd Fields joins the ranks of such film titans as Paul Thomas Anderson.