The Brutalist Movie Review: A bold, meditative exploration of art, power, and sacrifice
The Brutalist Movie Review: Critics Rating: 4.0 stars, click to give your rating/review,A visually arresting and emotionally rich exploration of artistic ambition, The Brutalist is an intr
Critic's Rating: 4.0/5
Story: An architect and Holocaust survivor László Tóth (Adrien Brody), strives to rebuild his career in a new land.
Review: Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” is a grand, meticulously crafted meditation on artistic ambition, resilience, and the moral dilemmas that come with success. At its core, the film is a character study, exploring László’s struggles as he balances personal integrity with external pressures. The narrative spans several decades, showcasing his architectural vision and the shifting societal landscape that shapes his journey.
Adrien Brody delivers one of his most nuanced performances in years. He imbues László with quiet intensity, capturing the weight of his past and the emotional burden of his aspirations. Brody conveys his ambition through subtle facial expressions and restrained body language, making László a deeply compelling figure. His chemistry with Felicity Jones is strong, and she brings an understated power to Erzsébet, playing a woman torn between supporting her husband’s dreams and watching them consume him. Her quiet suffering and growing isolation lend the film an emotional depth. Guy Pearce delivers a masterful turn as Van Buren, an unsettling blend of charm and manipulation. His presence in László’s life is both a blessing and a curse, offering the architect a path to greatness while exerting an insidious influence over his work and personal life. The supporting cast, including Joe Alwyn and Stacy Martin, enhance the film’s layered narrative, each character adding to the broader themes of artistic integrity, patronage, and control.
Visually, the film is a masterpiece. Shot in the rare VistaVision format, the cinematography by Lol Crawley enhances the film’s architectural themes, creating a sense of scale and grandeur that mirrors László’s ambitions. The film's composition reflects the stark, imposing aesthetic of brutalist architecture, reinforcing its themes of resilience and alienation. Daniel Blumberg’s haunting score complements the film’s emotional depth, adding an almost operatic quality to key moments.
At over three hours, “The Brutalist” is a demanding watch. The deliberate pacing allows for a slow-burn immersion into László’s world, though some sequences may feel overly drawn out. However, the film’s ability to explore the intersection of art, power, and identity with such precision makes it a rewarding experience for patient viewers.
Review: Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” is a grand, meticulously crafted meditation on artistic ambition, resilience, and the moral dilemmas that come with success. At its core, the film is a character study, exploring László’s struggles as he balances personal integrity with external pressures. The narrative spans several decades, showcasing his architectural vision and the shifting societal landscape that shapes his journey.
Adrien Brody delivers one of his most nuanced performances in years. He imbues László with quiet intensity, capturing the weight of his past and the emotional burden of his aspirations. Brody conveys his ambition through subtle facial expressions and restrained body language, making László a deeply compelling figure. His chemistry with Felicity Jones is strong, and she brings an understated power to Erzsébet, playing a woman torn between supporting her husband’s dreams and watching them consume him. Her quiet suffering and growing isolation lend the film an emotional depth. Guy Pearce delivers a masterful turn as Van Buren, an unsettling blend of charm and manipulation. His presence in László’s life is both a blessing and a curse, offering the architect a path to greatness while exerting an insidious influence over his work and personal life. The supporting cast, including Joe Alwyn and Stacy Martin, enhance the film’s layered narrative, each character adding to the broader themes of artistic integrity, patronage, and control.
Visually, the film is a masterpiece. Shot in the rare VistaVision format, the cinematography by Lol Crawley enhances the film’s architectural themes, creating a sense of scale and grandeur that mirrors László’s ambitions. The film's composition reflects the stark, imposing aesthetic of brutalist architecture, reinforcing its themes of resilience and alienation. Daniel Blumberg’s haunting score complements the film’s emotional depth, adding an almost operatic quality to key moments.
At over three hours, “The Brutalist” is a demanding watch. The deliberate pacing allows for a slow-burn immersion into László’s world, though some sequences may feel overly drawn out. However, the film’s ability to explore the intersection of art, power, and identity with such precision makes it a rewarding experience for patient viewers.
In-depth Analysis
Our overall critic’s rating is not an average of the sub scores below.
