Director Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist is a stunning cinematic achievement. From the moment the film begins, it exudes a grandeur and artistic ambition that we rarely see in modern Hollywood.
Watching it felt like stepping back into the Golden Age of Cinema when films carried an operatic weight, stories were told with precision and patience, and visuals were truly experienced.
I had the chance to watch The Brutalist in 70mm, and the experience was mesmerizing. There’s a richness to the cinematography, a tangible texture to the way light and shadow are used, that feels almost extinct in today’s industry.
The film’s nearly four-hour runtime, complete with a 20-minute intermission, might be daunting to some, but for me, it was an immersive experience I haven’t had in a long time. In an time where movies often feel disposable, The Brutalist is a film that will live on and be studied.
At the heart of this film is Adrien Brody, who delivers what is easily one of the best performances of the year and even of his career.
Brody takes on the role of visionary architect László Toth, a Holocaust survivor who is rebuilding his life in post-war America, and the actor carries the film with quiet intensity, layering his character’s ambition, pain, and longing.
This is an Oscar-worthy performance and his performance alone makes the film worth seeing, but he’s far from the only standout in this impressive cast.
Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce also deliver captivating performances, adding to the film’s exploration of power, legacy, and survival. Corbet has assembled a cast that fully embraces the weight of the material, bringing each character to life with refreshing authenticity.
Escaping the devastation of post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America with dreams of rebuilding not just structures, but his own fractured existence.
Reuniting with his wife Erzsébet after being separated by the chaos of war, he attempts to reestablish both his personal and professional life. In Pennsylvania, he catches the attention of influential industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, who recognizes his immense talent and and is given the opportunity to leave his mark on the world.
However, as László’s work gains prominence, he finds himself entangled in a web of power, ambition, and sacrifice, one that forces him to confront the true cost of of power and legacy.
Co-writer Mona Fastvold captured the film’s essence beautifully when she said: “If you talk about legacy, it’s not really in the brilliant things you create. It’s the love you leave behind and the people you paved the way for.”
“The twist of the movie is that it’s a love story in the end. This obsession (with his architecture) is ultimately an expression of love and processing his trauma. We came to that conclusion fairly early on, but it was something that happened intuitively once we really started writing and got the characters under our skin.”
So, that’s something to keep in mind when watching the film, and it will give you a clearer understanding of things as the film takes you on this journey.
László’s architectural obsession isn’t just about shaping the world, it’s about making sense of his trauma and expressing love through creation.
The film’s musical score by Daniel Blumberg deserves praise as well. It’s a composition that perfectly straddles the line between grandeur and dread, mirroring the protagonist’s journey.
The music feels monumental yet there’s an underlying sorrow that makes it all the more affecting. It’s the kind of score that becomes an important part of its storytelling.
In an age of streaming convenience, The Brutalist is a reminder of what cinema can be when it’s crafted with boldness and vision. Corbet has delivered a monumental cinematic experience.
Yes, it’s long. Yes, it may not be for everyone. But for those willing to surrender to its world, The Brutalist offers an experience that is beautifully rewarding.
It’s rare to see a film that feels this grand, this carefully constructed, and this emotionally resonant. The Brutalist is that rare kind of film and it one that I hope you try to see.
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