“The Brutalist” has been receiving praise since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, with Adrien Brody’s powerful performance as a Hungarian architect standing out. Brody plays László Tóth, a man whose genius is shaped by the brutal aesthetics of post-World War II architecture. The film follows his struggles to make his mark in America during the 1940s and 50s. The film has been hailed for its raw and ambitious approach to 20th-century history, with director Brady Corbet at the helm. Corbet’s vision has earned him a reputation as an auteur.
The movie is long, at nearly 3 hours and 40 minutes, and includes an intermission. It is bold and explores deep themes beyond the typical blockbuster. Yet, some critics argue it isn’t quite the masterpiece it’s often called. While it compares in length to Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Corbet’s film feels less polished and more disorganized. That said, Brody’s performance is mesmerizing and possibly even better than his work in “The Pianist.”
The first half of the movie is its strongest. It follows László, who escapes Nazi concentration camps and moves to America, where his cousin, a furniture maker, helps him land a job designing a library for a wealthy businessman, Harrison Lee Van Buren. László’s unique architectural style leads to tension, as Van Buren initially dislikes the design but later commissions a larger project, a massive concrete community center.
While Brody shines in his portrayal of László’s inner turmoil and passion for architecture, the film’s second half loses focus. The introduction of László’s wife, Erzsébet, and niece, Zsófia, complicates the story with melodrama. These characters distract from László’s journey and add unnecessary complexity to the narrative.
Despite these flaws, “The Brutalist” offers a deep exploration of an artist’s battle against societal pressures and personal challenges. It’s not perfect, but it positions Corbet as a filmmaker to watch in the future. The movie is currently playing in select theaters.
