In “The Brutalist,” director Brady Corbet delivers a cinematic marvel that is as monumental as the raw architectural style it celebrates. Spanning three hours and 35 minutes, including an intermission, this film is a sweeping narrative of ambition, trauma, and the immigrant experience, anchored by a stellar performance from Adrien Brody as the fictional Hungarian architect Lázló Tóth. While not for everyone, the film’s ambition and grandeur make it an undeniable masterpiece for those willing to invest in its journey.
An Architect’s Vision Amid Turmoil
Tóth, portrayed with intensity by Brody, is a visionary architect who escapes the horrors of the Holocaust and arrives in the United States to chase his American Dream. The film begins with a gripping sequence aboard an immigrant ship, where chaos and darkness underscore his harrowing journey. Tóth’s first glimpse of America—the Statue of Liberty filmed upside down—sets the tone for the film’s exploration of dreams turned on their heads.
Upon arriving in Philadelphia, Tóth is greeted by his cousin Attila (Alessandro Nivola), who offers him work at his furniture store. Monumental news soon follows: Tóth’s wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones), has survived the camps and is alive in Europe. Brody’s portrayal of Tóth’s reaction to this news is one of the film’s most unforgettable moments, showcasing the depth of his grief and hope.
The American Dream and Its Price
A turning point comes when Tóth is hired by Harry Lee Van Buren (Joe Alwyn) to renovate a library for his father, Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce). Tóth’s modernist vision transforms the library into a gem of architectural innovation. However, the elder Van Buren’s explosive reaction to the project results in Tóth being expelled and left penniless.
The tide turns when Van Buren recognizes the brilliance of Tóth’s work and commissions him to design a vast community center in honor of his mother. Yet, this opportunity becomes a double-edged sword. As Tóth becomes entrenched in the Van Buren estate, he struggles with artistic compromises, economic pressures, and the psychological scars of the war, exacerbated by a burgeoning drug addiction.
A Masterpiece of Ambition and Design
Corbet, working with co-writer Mona Fastvold, crafts “The Brutalist” as a symphony in movements, mirroring the grandiosity of its subject matter. The film’s use of VistaVision and expansive cinematography provides a fitting canvas for its themes of permanence and scale. From the marble quarries of Carrara to the sprawling Van Buren estate, the film captures the beauty and brutality of architectural creation.
Felicity Jones delivers a sensitive performance as Erzsébet, whose post-war trauma and sharp insights into the Van Burens’ darker motives add emotional depth. The tension culminates in a pivotal sequence in Italy, where the beauty of the Carrara quarries is juxtaposed with a horrifying clash between Tóth and Van Buren—a moment that leaves a lasting impression.
A Coda of Redemption
The film’s final act, set decades later in Venice, reveals the true significance of Tóth’s architectural masterpiece in Doylestown. This revelation ties together the threads of his vision, sacrifices, and unyielding pursuit of artistic integrity.
While “The Brutalist” is not without its flaws—its indulgences and occasional incongruities might test viewers’ patience—it remains a testament to the power of ambition. As one of the film’s key lines suggests, “It’s the destination, not the journey, that matters.”
Final Thoughts
“The Brutalist” is a bold, uncompromising work that demands much from its audience but rewards those who embrace its scale and ambition. Like Tóth’s architectural creations, it is a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend trauma and redefine dreams.Rating: ★★★½ out of 4
Running Time: 215 minutes
Rating: Unrated by the Motion Picture Association
Studio: A24
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
