The Brutalist movie review: The Brutalist (2024), directed by Brady Corbet, is a monumental cinematic achievement that delves into the intersection of postwar architecture, societal complexities, and the immigrant experience. This sprawling, three-and-a-half-hour epic stars Adrien Brody in a career-defining performance as László Tóth, a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor who navigates the tensions of postwar America. The film, with its stunning cinematography, intricate storytelling, and thought-provoking themes, establishes itself as a masterwork of modern cinema.
The Brutalist movie review
At its core, The Brutalist is a fictional biopic of László Tóth, whose journey from war-torn Europe to the United States is marked by triumphs, challenges, and personal demons. The narrative intertwines themes of antisemitism, capitalism, and the immigrant experience, painting a vivid picture of America’s postwar era. Tóth’s life is shaped by his encounters with the eccentric and enigmatic Harrison Van Buren, played masterfully by Guy Pearce. Their relationship, oscillating between collaboration and conflict, drives much of the film’s tension.
The film begins with Tóth’s arrival in the US, his vision for a fresh start clouded by the trauma of his past. The architectural projects he undertakes—initially modest but increasingly grandiose—serve as metaphors for his ambition, struggles, and the cultural clashes he faces. His perfectionism and uncompromising ideals lead to both professional success and personal turmoil, as seen in his strained relationships with his family and patrons.
The Brutalist – Official Trailer A24
Adrien Brody delivers a tour-de-force performance as László Tóth. Critics have hailed this role as his best since The Pianist. Brody portrays Tóth with angular fierceness and vulnerability, capturing the complexities of a man driven by artistic vision yet haunted by his past. His interactions with Felicity Jones’s Erzszébet and Raffey Cassidy’s Zsófia—his wife and orphaned niece—reveal the emotional depth of his character. The dynamics within his family, especially their delayed reunion due to bureaucratic hurdles, add another layer of poignancy to the story.
Guy Pearce’s Harrison Van Buren is a standout character whose presence looms large over the narrative. Pearce imbues Van Buren with charisma, complexity, and menace, reminiscent of larger-than-life figures in classic cinema. His relationship with Tóth is layered with admiration, envy, and latent bigotry, making him a pivotal force in shaping Tóth’s career and challenges. Pearce’s nuanced performance captures the contradictions of a man who recognizes brilliance yet cannot escape his own insecurities and prejudices.
While the film’s title references the architectural style, The Brutalist uses the term to explore broader themes of human resilience, brutality, and the immigrant experience. Tóth’s architectural vision, rooted in modernism and influenced by his European heritage, clashes with the pragmatism and biases of his new environment. His use of concrete—a symbol of strength and permanence—reflects his desire to leave a lasting legacy, even as he grapples with societal and personal challenges.
The film also delves into the darker aspects of ambition and success. Tóth’s struggles with alcohol, drugs, and the pressures of his work underscore the sacrifices demanded by greatness. Meanwhile, the bigotry he faces, both subtle and overt, highlights the challenges of assimilation and acceptance in a divided society.
Brady Corbet’s direction is nothing short of visionary. Collaborating with cinematographer Lol Crawley, he crafts a visually arresting film that captures the grandeur and intimacy of Tóth’s world. The use of widescreen format enhances the film’s epic scope, while meticulous attention to detail immerses viewers in the postwar era. Judy Becker’s production design further complements the narrative, bringing Tóth’s architectural creations and environments to life.
The screenplay, co-written by Corbet and Mona Fastvold, balances clarity and complexity, offering a compelling narrative filled with emotional depth and intellectual rigor. The dialogues resonate with authenticity, and the pacing, despite the film’s length, maintains engagement through its compelling character arcs and thematic explorations.
The Brutalist draws comparisons to works like There Will Be Blood and Citizen Kane, both in its narrative structure and character dynamics. The film’s exploration of ambition, power, and the immigrant experience evokes the literary traditions of Bernard Malamud and Saul Bellow. At the same time, its depiction of architectural grandeur and its underlying symbolism harken back to the works of Ayn Rand.
However, The Brutalist carves its unique identity by integrating these influences into a deeply personal and original story. Its focus on architecture as a metaphor for human aspiration and resilience sets it apart, offering a fresh perspective on familiar themes.
Several scenes stand out for their emotional and symbolic impact. Tóth’s first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, depicted as upside down, captures his disorientation and the complexities of the immigrant experience. The sequence at the Carrara marble quarries, where Tóth and Van Buren confront their ideals and contradictions, serves as a poignant climax that underscores the film’s themes of ambition and loss.
The library renovation project, commissioned by Van Buren’s son, symbolizes the tension between tradition and modernity, ambition and mediocrity. Tóth’s designs, inspired by high ceilings and atrial light sources, reflect his visionary approach, while the challenges he faces highlight the societal and personal obstacles to realizing such visions.
Critics have universally praised The Brutalist for its ambition, storytelling, and performances. The film’s ability to combine epic scale with intimate character studies has drawn admiration, as has its exploration of timely and timeless themes. Adrien Brody’s portrayal of László Tóth has been widely regarded as a career milestone, while Guy Pearce’s performance adds depth and complexity to the narrative.
The film’s technical achievements, including Crawley’s cinematography and Becker’s production design, have also received accolades. Critics have highlighted the film’s ability to transport viewers to another era while addressing issues that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Summary
The Brutalist (2024) is a cinematic triumph that captivates with its storytelling, performances, and thematic depth. Brady Corbet’s vision, combined with Adrien Brody’s compelling performance, creates an unforgettable experience that resonates on multiple levels. This epic tale of architecture, ambition, and the immigrant experience is both a tribute to human resilience and a critique of societal flaws. For those who appreciate films that challenge, inspire, and provoke thought, The Brutalist is an absolute must-watch.
Top 5 Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
Despite the lengthy runtime, there’s no filler anywhere in “The Brutalist.” – Brian Truitt, USA Today
A great American director has announced his presence with a majestic, complicated, somewhat vexing and altogether entrancing film – Kyle Smith, Wall Street Journal
The Brutalist is a movie of big ideas constructed inside the transformative majesty of epic-scaled cinema. You can try to describe it, but nothing can match the power of simply opening your eyes – Barry Hertz, Globe and Mail
It’s a film that turns inward into itself, winding its themes around its characters like a great American novel – Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com
Because so much of The Brutalist is impressive it’s hard to completely write it off for its flaws. At the same time, the general quality of its craftsmanship can’t quite obviate the hollowness of the entire enterprise – Adam Nayman, The Ringer
Top Movie Ratings
| Metacritic | 88% |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 96% |
| IMDb | 8.1/10 |
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