Film: Tár

Tonight, I planned on seeing a film - but had to wait for those ever-delayed listings. Delighted to report that today's film turned out (finally!) to be Tár,  in which Cate Blanchett is Oscar-nominated for her part as a driven, genius classical conductor. Also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay - and, appropriately, best sound. Looked nice and tense - no longer showing in Ireland, and is mostly showing in the daytime in London! Finsbury Park Picturehouse is the closest venue to me that's showing it in the evening. It'd be a relief to tick it off at last.

It was a late showing, so I had time to do overtime again. As my route would take me past The Lucas Arms, I thought that'd be just the place to eat! It's been so long since I was last there.. Got a seat on the more public side for once, rather than stuck in the corner. And wow - were the pies always this big? Ah, it tasted lovely.. a middle-aged German-speaking couple sat at the table beside me, and certainly she, at least, was excited to be in London, raising a toast with her companion. They ordered food too - more huge portions, chicken for him, mac n cheese for her. It's a nice pub - it was an effort to leave.

The bus that would have taken me directly there vanished somewhere en route, so I ended up taking the other option - which was fine. A diversion didn't cause me too much trouble, as I was in plenty of time, and they still stopped where I needed them to. Found the cinema - and was again glad of being early, what with the really slow queues! I had to buy my ticket - hadn't needed to book, so I said I'd save the booking fee. Inside, the seats are comfy, with plush upholstery - if you push back, the backs do recline. Mind you, with all the people arriving after me in the row behind, I kept having to straighten..

Well, this is quite a film. The first half, certainly, should come as a joy to music lovers - as I say, she's a famous classical conductor - one of only 15 EGOTs, winners of all four major awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. And her life, indeed, plays like a classical piece - she glides elegantly from one scene to the next, effortlessly accepting adoration wherever she goes. Sleek cars, understated hotel rooms, sharp suits: she has a PA, she conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, which was always her dream - in Berlin also live her partner and their little girl, in a well-appointed apartment. Interviews with internationally renowned magazines allow her to display her erudition, and she's writing her memoir.

Not every life is perfect, however, and even in this gilded beginning, we begin to ask questions. Why does her PA always look so miserable? and where is this partner we hear about? Spending all her time in upper-class restaurants and concert halls, and giving talks - we don't even see her make a phone call home. Hmm.

Soon enough, the perfect facade begins to crack. It's one thing after another - but we realise that, perhaps, she's been keeping some things hidden. Perhaps she's brought this on herself. Now, she attempts to hold on to her life as best she can - but as things escalate, and the wolves gather (as they always will, around those more successful), just how long can she hold on before she cracks? Believe me, when she cracks, she does so spectacularly. I won't give away the ending - but let me just say what a dramatic contrast it presents to the beginning of the film. A beautiful piece of work - and although it's a little long, you'll want to hang on to see what happens next.. Have to say, karma's a killer..

My bus home was empty but for me, I think! My personal, very large, taxi..

The weekend is all about London Herstory Guided Walks, the walks from a female perspective, as guided by Mandy Morrow. Tomorrow, it's Women of Mayfair from Monarchs to Mistresses & More. Mercifully, not too early.

On Sunday, a new walk for her - Bloody Brilliant Bermondsey Women. Oh, and if you sign up to her newsletter, you get the next walk half price! I saw that offer in time for this walk.

On Monday, thinking film again - and what's coming up looks really interesting. Continuing on a women's theme, Women Talking is, apparently, based on real-life events in a Mennonite community, where women were being drugged, and sexually assaulted as they slept. Some ended up injured, some pregnant, some with STDs. The film is based on a book, imagining the women's response - in a community that doesn't even teach its women to read and write, the women mobilise to form a response to a group of uncaring elders, whose dictat is that they must forgive their attackers, or forfeit their place in heaven. Stars Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw, and Frances McDormand - against type, as has been mentioned - as an older woman who does not support the younger women's rebellion against staying quiet. Also nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. Closest showing to me is in the Everyman King's Cross.

On Tuesday, back with London Classical Music and Theatre Group, for an English Concert of Bach, at Wigmore Hall. Lovely, it's ages since I heard Bach..

On Wednesday, it's film again - this one is a BFI presentation of Joyland, an Indian film about a young man who joins a burlesque show, and becomes infatuated with the trans lady who runs it. I'm normally suspicious about Indian film, having had some bad experiences - but this trailer looks excellent, so I'll risk it. Showing in the Vue Islington - which I've booked, for once, as they now have theatre-style seat pricing, different seats in different locations at different prices!

On Thursday, back with TAC for Feel More X Lately, showing at the Lion and Unicorn. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend.

There follows a mostly Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) week. On the 27th, back with them for Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, at the Harold Pinter Theatre. This is a rom-com about a couple living in a dystopian state, which limits the number of characters they can speak. Lots of body language then, I guess! Frankly, I was delighted to see that, by the time I booked, the Balcony was sold out - the legroom there is woeful, and good luck to those who've booked up there. The cheapest price bracket left when I booked included some in the Dress Circle - and thanks to Seatplan, I seem to have identified a decent seat among them. Watch this space.. cheapest tickets from the official site, but I booked with From the Box Office, which had tickets at the same price, but without the booking fee.

On the 28th, my one non-UITCS day that week - back with Over 40 Living the Life, for a dinner at Greenwich Yacht Club. Ooh la la..

On the 1st, back with UITCS at the Arcola for Afghanistan is Not Funny, the true story of a British comedian and photographer in war-torn Afghanistan.

On the 2nd, with them again at the Peacock (think I can walk to that!) for Bat Out of Hell, a musical based on the music of Meat Loaf. Awesome - just a pity it isn't one of the singalong nights..

On the 3rd, ending a run of UITCS with Lucrezia Borgia, by the English Touring Opera Company, at the Hackney Empire.

On the 4th, back cat-herding - Ivan suggested that whole day for, well, a lot of drinking. And food - he wanted to go back to O' Neill's. Well, he must have been reading the blog - because today, he got in touch. To say that, unfortunately, he can't now make it. My other coworker from that company still can, though - as they've both said, it's been so long since they actually met each other! They can never seem to coordinate..

On the 5th, back with Discover London at last - she does excellent walks, but sometimes they clash, and sometimes they sell out before I get to them! This one is Discover Historic Chelsea: From Quaint to Quant - 1660s to 1960s.

On the 6th, back with - you guessed it - UITCS, for Romeo and Julie, at the Dorfman.

On the 7th - not so much appeals on Meetup. Free Stuff and Free Events does have Free Community Singing with Ros Hone and the Global Fusion Sound Singers, which you can attend on Zoom, or in person at Fossdene School Community Hall. Which sounds just fine - except that this is the sort of thing I keep cancelling! So I'm not confirming until nearer the time.

On the 8th - back with the Crick Crack Club, woohoo! for Goddesses in the Garden, at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Features my favourite, Clare Murphy, along with Sarah Liisa Wilkinson, Laura Sampson, and Xanthe Gresham.

On the 9th, my final booking - for now - with UITCS, for Brilliant Jerks at Southwark Playhouse. And wouldn't you know it, I still had credit on my Pay as you Go subscription, so got it for free! And then it's back to Ireland for the weekend again.