The Brutalist Review

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Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: 

The Brutalist is one of 2024’s most ambitious films. Director Brady Corbet brings us a story about László Toth, a Hungarian immigrant who has survived the holocaust. He moves to the United States with a successful background in architecture. As he struggles to make a living, he encounters a wealthy client who is fascinated by his work. Offering him a chance at his big break, László is tasked with his greatest challenge yet. As the years go on and his personal struggles continue, László must confront his new reality and discover what future he really wants. 

Positives:

After hearing about the buzz surrounding “The Brutalist”, I was excited to check it out. While I don’t think everything within the story works, this is one of the most interesting films of the year. I am truly impressed that director Brady Corbet was able to craft such a bold and detail oriented film on a budget of less than ten million. From the texture of the camera to the gritty world these characters inhabit, I felt like I was arriving in the U.S with László for the first time. The costume design and set pieces are excellent. We see different groups of people and how they dress according to their culture, background, and economic circumstance. The setting these characters inhabit is intriguing to experience as a viewer. We get some incredible shots in the early 1900’s America, highlighting the optimism and sense of wonder that many immigrants feel when arriving. This gives audiences a unique perspective into the early version of the American Dream. As the film goes on, we see the complications László faces as he struggles to make his American journey successful. There is some interesting thematic exploration on the idea of the American Dream throughout the film, as well as wealth and power throughout a developing society. 

The performances are some of the best I’ve seen all year. This ensemble is tasked with some difficult sequences that only the most dedicated could achieve. The pure expressions these characters demonstrate is acting on its finest level. What I loved seeing is how invested the audience is supposed to be with the characters. Even the faintest details such as an eyebrow raise or a smirk are able to convey so much during a scene that doesn’t require much dialogue. We also get some remarkably poignant monologues during the intimate scenes, specifically between László and his wealthy client (Harrison). This was impressive on so many levels because the lack of cuts and transitions between the conversations requires an incredible amount of focus from the performers. Adrian Brody and Guy Pierce give the two most impressive performances though. They are some of the most impressive I’ve seen all year, where Brody’s mild mannered character is put through the ringer physically and emotionally. Pierce’s Harrison is a fascinating character who is well educated and impeccably spoken, but he has a dark side that is continuously revealed as the film goes on. Felicity Jones, Joe Alwyn, and Alessandro Nivola are all wonderful in their supporting roles as well. The performances are elevated by one of the strongest scripts of the year. I was captivated by much of the dialogue as it had underlying tones of tension beneath each conversation. 

Negatives:

“The Brutalist” is one of the most impressive auteur filmmaking efforts of the year. That being said, there are a handful of elements that bring the film down (particularly in the second act). The story is split into two parts with a fifteen minute intermission included. Being that the film exceeds a three and a half hour runtime, this intermission helped immensely. I hardly felt the runtime during the first half of the film, but the second act is where the pacing starts to falter. A movie this long needs to warrant the amount of material included to subject audiences to such a long runtime. The first half succeeds  but I can’t say the same for the second. The focus of the story takes a few surprising turns that don’t feel organic to the direction of the first half. I believe the film loses its footing during the conclusion, losing the strength and gravitas established by a near perfect beginning. The first half of the story presents a handful of complicated characters whose worlds are intertwining in a fascinating way. There were many intimate moments that are not replicated in the second half. The events that follow feel more chaotic and may lose the attention of the viewer if they start to lose interest. I would caution viewers who dislike long runtimes as well. This isn’t a film like “Avatar”, where beneath the weight of its long runtime has spectacular visuals and more action. “The Brutalist” is an intimate story filled with thematic analysis and expansive dialogue. Take this with a grain of salt before spending an entire afternoon at the theater. 

Conclusion:

If nothing else, “The Brutalist” is a film that will challenge audiences on many levels, bringing some thought provoking ideas to the forefront and leaving a lasting impression after the credits roll. The strong script, excellent performances, and rich thematic undertones are crucial to executing such a bold story. I’m thrilled to say that the film is successful on most fronts, being one of the most memorable experiences at the theater this year. Unfortunately the story struggles in the latter half, losing focus and abandoning the intimate moments that made the beginning so impactful. The runtime is not something to be taken lightly either (albeit a helpful intermission in the middle). I highly recommend checking out “The Brutalist” if a rich, thoughtful story is something of interest. I can say without hesitation that the film is a visionary experience that will impress those who are willing to give it a chance.