A Modern Epic that is as Momentous as it is Grandiose
Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist is a nearly 4-hour epic that follows a Jewish-Hungarian architect named Lázslo Tóth. After surviving World War II and The Holocaust, Lázslo is fortunate enough to have escaped and emigrated to the United States. As He arrives, he is on a mission to reconstruct his life. This includes reuniting with his wife Erzsébet and niece Zofia, whom he was separated from, and his renowned career, immensely acclaimed. As Lázslo starts his new life in Pennsylvania, he struggles to acclimate to the American Dream. This is until he encounters a wealthy industrialist, Harrison Lee Van Buren, who changes his outlook on making it in America.
The Birth of Modern America
The Brutalist is a modern-day masterpiece; from the moment the film begins, it is clear that the viewer is about to be taken on the journey of a lifetime. The film is a surreal experience that feels archaic in tone but nostalgic in formality. The film is an epic ode to films of the past that explore broad scopes of what the world has to offer. This film is nearly 4 hours long, and it constantly keeps a steady pace, building on what’s to come next without feeling exhausted in the slightest.
The film is a delightful period piece about the birth of modern America, and the film spares no expense in showing that. The production design is stately in the most singular ways possible, making it more intriguing to see how the process comes together. The film uses its production to help further the film’s story, and when doing so, it also shows the cracks in the foundation. The vibe and the tone of the film are very prestigious and maintain that composure throughout, even in the most show-stopping heated scenes. Some scenes are agonizing due to the heavy dialogue, and these moments of heavy dialogue are susceptible to putting the viewer in the hot seat. This helps the audience examine what is really boiling under the internal surface of the characters.
Preeminent Performances
Adrien Brody’s portrayal of Lázslo Tóth is night and day; he incredibly embodies this role. Viewers see Lazlo humanistically evolve at his best, at his worst, and at his most conceited. This is all in hopes of gaining currency and doing everything it takes to thrive in America. With all of the flaws that the role encompasses, you can’t help but root for him because his purpose truly outweighs his personal shortcomings. This can be seen as a career reawakening for Brody due to the rigor that this role requires, and he exudes that from an abstract yet obsolete perspective.
Guy Pearce’s performance is sight unseen, as he’s multifaceted in the most duplicitous ways imaginable. His motives are usually led by ambition, and that vacillates throughout the film as he resembles candor in very objective moments. He is the enigma surrounding this film as he has a way of doing things in an impromptu manner, and the way everyone around him falls in line is intriguing. It could definitely be said that this is Pearce’s most versatile role.
Felicity Jones is the underlying force of this film. She is only in the second half, but in the first half, she narrates throughout, and in those moments, she helps heighten the film’s stakes. Before the intermission, she gives the audience something to look forward to, only to be more influential to internal relations the other characters display. When given the chance, she is receptive to all of the elements around her, and that helps put the pieces together to come to a bombastic conclusion. Towards the end, she stands out; there is a scene that is focused and panned around. In that moment, Jones commands, and it has the ability to stop the viewer in their tracks. Jones’s role is heavily effective throughout and even more so after the credits roll.
The Decadence of Brutalism
The film’s cinematography and production design are intellectually engaging on a ceremonious level. The film is shot on 35 mm, and that is felt throughout the film as it is phenomenal to be surrounded by. The shooting technique is composed to fit the age of the film, and it is done so from an antique perspective. The cinematography and production design complemented Laszlo’s scrupulous style of architecture. As he is creating these contemporary modern pieces, it feels as though everything on camera is being built as well, and it is as though we see Laszlo giving life to the modern contemporary style that is exalted today.
The score is transcendent, as it is the highlight of the film. The score is larger than life itself, and it spares no expense to showcase that. From the moment the film starts, viewers are instantly transported into a monumental atmosphere that spans the whole film. The score is the backbone for heightening the stakes that progress in the film while also providing artistic prowess at the same time. The score is in a league of its own, and it will be remembered for personifying ambition and perseverance through all facets of obtaining the pinnacle of success.
The Final Piece
The Brutalist is an original, prodigious body of work that will go down as one the most memorable films of all time. Its 4-hour run time never stumbles while providing visuals of grandeur and prestigious performances to contest. The immaculate cast surpasses the film’s innate storytelling beyond its strong source material that is furnished. With only a small budget of between $6 and $10 million, Brady Corbet presents a masterclass on how to utilize elements with little to nothing, showing that any film can go above and beyond its limits with the right skill set and aspiration for innovation. The Brutalist is a film that viewers will always remember where they were when they first experienced it due to its prestigious craft and immaculate scope. The Brutalist will have a limited release in theaters on December 20th.
The Brutalist (2024) Official A24 Trailer
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Author
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.