Synopsis
“The Brutalist” follows László Toth, a visionary Hungarian-Jewish architect, and his wife Erzsébet, as they navigate a complex United States post-World War II. Driven by a desire to rebuild himself and at the same time a better world, László’s architectural ambition clashes with strong characters and the harsh political and social landscape of the era.
The film spans decades, tracing his career from grand, utopian projects to personal and professional compromises, exploring themes of artistic integrity, immigration, and the enduring power of dreams in the face of adversity.
What I Liked
- The cinematography of ‘The Brutalist,’ helmed by Lol Crawley, shines with its use of VistaVision, which evokes the grandeur of the era and creates an impressive experience with careful compositions, precise lighting, and a style that presents the film as a historical testament.
- The film’s cinematography masterfully utilizes expansive architectural shots and intensely close, character-focused shots, creating a deliberate contrast that emphasizes both the scale of the world and the characters’ ambitions, as well as their inner lives, emotions, anxieties, and passions.
- Through their performances, Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones bring to life deeply complex and emotionally layered characters, navigating a difficult and unforgiving world that both captivates and unsettles us.
What Could Be Better
- The film’s runtime, exceeding 200 minutes, demands a heightened commitment from the viewer, making it unsuitable for all audiences or every occasion. ‘The Brutalist’ is an ambitious story that presents the evolution of an artist over decades, with a measured and intimate pace.
- Despite the three primary characters, the film does not develop the personalities, motivations, and feelings of the secondary characters, which hinders understanding and empathy with them, and causes surprise at some of their reactions or decisions that heavily influence the development of the story.
- The narrative is at times confusing and difficult to follow, leading to an abrupt, surprising, and crude ending. This creates a forced sense of an intense climax that attempts to justify the entire experience.
My Insight
‘The Brutalist’ is an ambitious film that, with calm deliberation, addresses various themes. The reinvention and redemption of immigration is a significant factor. However, the central conflict, in my opinion, is artistic integrity and the sacrifices necessary for success. The film explores the tension between investors, political reality, unbridled passion, and survival.
It is remarkably interesting to see in a film the combination of the search for artistic expression, creative freedom mixing with harsh reality. Dirty and sometimes disheartening. What impressed me most is that fabulous juxtaposition with the astonishing things that human creativity and diligent work can achieve.
Despite its limited budget and clear, film is beautiful unique, comforting. It may even reflect the grand themes addressed within the film itself.
Rating ⭐8/10
A Visually Stunning and Emotionally Resonant Exploration of Artistic Integrity and the Immigrant Experience, Though Hampered by Pacing and Narrative Stumbles.
Extras
Movies about Passion, dedication, and human progress
- There will be Blood (2007) Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
- Citizen Kane (1941) Dir. Orson Welles
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Dir. Stanley Kubrick
- The Social Network (2010) Dir. David Fincher
- First Man (2018) Dir. Damien Chazelle
For Discussion
The film shows how humans, with their weaknesses and flaws, can achieve wonderful things. This duality is beautiful, and although the tone in ‘The Brutalist’ is somber and tragic, it is the work and the results that shine and endure for years, to the astonishment of the future.
At times, I feel it’s difficult to move forward, to create, and to have the conviction that we can offer something of value based on our own beliefs and passion. However, that insecurity, that imposter syndrome, as it is so often called, is the only thing that stops us from moving forward and bringing light to those around us.
Technical Details
Release Date: 20 december, 2024
Director: Brady Corbet
Main Cast: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Raffey Cassidy and more.
Runtime: 215 minutes
Genre: Drama, Historical Drama
Rating: R (for language)
Distributor: A24
Where to Watch: Cinemas and Available to purchase in Streaming.
