The Brutalist Is Half Of A Great Movie

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I can confidently say that Brady Corbet is nothing short of a modern-day miracle worker. The audacity, the ambition, and the sheer audacity of his work on The Brutalist is enough to make even the most hardened cynic believe in supernatural powers. This film, spanning 33 years and over three and a half hours of runtime, is a testament to what can be achieved when one dares to dream big.


If someone were to inform me that Brady Corbet had extraordinary powers such as walking on water, deflecting bullets, or passing through walls, I would find it believable. The confidence needed to create a film like “The Brutalist” seems almost supernatural, and one might as well attribute otherworldly abilities to the filmmaker.

In a fresh portrayal that leaves viewers in awe, Brody shines in the film “The Brutalist,” a performance reminiscent of his Oscar-winning role in “The Pianist.” While he’s maintained a consistent career since then and often collaborates with Wes Anderson, he hasn’t quite replicated that level of excellence. However, his depiction of László is captivating, making audiences feel as if they’re encountering him anew. With his expressive, slightly melancholic physique and his face etched with a perpetual air of sorrow, László seems to reveal more than his characters intend.

The film titled “The Brutalist” delves into themes of despair and torment, yet subtly weaves these elements throughout its narratives, making it satisfyingly intriguing. Characters like László, Attila, and Erzsébet don’t explicitly discuss their past traumas, but their actions and behaviors hint at them—for instance, Attila’s abandonment of his Jewish identity or Erzsébet’s unusual request for intimacy with her husband to heal their emotional wounds. László himself is a character in disarray, barely managing to maintain his composure, and teeters on the brink of collapse throughout much of the film. It’s almost miraculous when he gains Harrison’s approval, landing a commission to design a community center in Doylestown.

The film “The Brutalist” explores the concept of architectural auteurism, as its director Corbet, who collaborates with his spouse Mona Fastvold, has demonstrated a commitment to establishing himself as a significant filmmaker through his distinctively serious and sometimes self-important work. Notably, Corbet was an actor before transitioning into directing, having appeared in films like “Thirteen” and “Mysterious Skin.” His films often feature characters situated against the backdrop of turbulent historical events, such as his debut “The Childhood of a Leader,” which portrays the development of a future dictator post-World War I France, and “Vox Lux,” starring Natalie Portman, which encompasses a Columbine-style school shooting and September 11.

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2024-09-01 17:53