- THE BRUTALIST
- Starring: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce
- Directed by: Brady Corbet
- Rated: R
- Running time: 3 hrs 20 mins (3 hr 35 with intermission)
- A24
Our score: 5 out of 5
Budapest. World War II has recently ended. We find Erzsabet (Jones) writing a letter to her husband, Laszlo (Brody), reminding him of her love and where he can find her. An important fact as Laszlo is now living in Pennsylvania, trying to build a new life in a constantly changing new world.
Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, “The Brutalist” is a beautifully shot film that celebrates one mans desire to be remembered, no matter the cost. Arriving in America, Laszlo is given work by his cousin, a businessman with a furniture store. Laszlo is an architect and his skills go well with furniture designing. He is also a proud Jew, who is upset that his cousin has not only changed his last name but is now a Catholic. Laszlo battles many demons, from terrible dreams to drug addiction but no matter what, he will fight to achieve the “American Dream.”
Thanks to the amazing cast, the three hour plus run time does not seem that long. Brody is always at his best when he is playing tortured souls and his performance here is top notch. Both he and Huffman are Oscar nominated for their work and they are well deserved. But the stand out performance here goes to fellow nominee Guy Pearce, who owns every scene he is in. I have loved Pearce ever since his breakout performance in “L.A. Confidential” and he is outstanding here.
The film is beautifully shot and the period settings perfect right down to the smallest detail. The film is also propelled by it’s Academy Award nominated musical score, as well as the greatest selection of mid-century standards since, well, “L.A. Confidential.”
Please note, I had the opportunity to see the film without and intermission so if you see it in the cinema, add 15 minutes to the run time. But believe me, it is time well spent.
On a scale of zero to five, “The Brutalist” receives ★★★★★