The Brutalist

Frank’s Film Review: The Brutalist
⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

The Brutalist is a title rich with dual significance. On the surface, it refers to the stark, minimalist architectural style marked by bold, unyielding concrete structures that emerged after World War II. However, it also serves as a metaphor for the film’s narrative and emotional depths, embodying the unvarnished, often harsh realities its characters face. This layered meaning sets the tone for a FICTIONAL tale deeply rooted in human truth.

At the center of the story is László Toth, an immigrant architect played by Adrien Brody, who is determined to carve out a new life after escaping the traumas of war. His character’s journey chronicles decades, exploring the sacrifices required to rebuild one’s identity in a foreign land. Through his struggles, the film grapples with weighty themes—ambition and the toll of displacement—while intertwining broader historical moments with intimate, personal experiences.

Felicity Jones delivers a powerful performance as Erzsébet, László’s wife, whose quiet strength and personal sacrifices anchor the movie’s emotional heart. Their relationship is portrayed with sensitivity, offering a tender counterbalance to the film’s rawer elements. Meanwhile, Guy Pearce stands out as a wealthy industrialist, adding tension and intrigue to the narrative.

Director Brady Corbet visually constructs a film that mirrors the essence of its namesake architectural style. The cinematography uses stark, geometrically precise compositions and moody lighting, evoking a sense of isolation, resilience, and cold determination. Much like a brutalist building’s imposing presence, the visual language challenges the audience to confront the characters’ struggles up close, unfiltered.

Adrien Brody’s performance is praiseworthy and worthy of award consideration. However, the film’s three-and-a-half-hour runtime is a stumbling block—the second half meanders, with the narrative deviating in too many directions. The subplot focusing on Harrison, Pearce’s industrialist character, is particularly unresolved. After being accused of raping László and confronted by Erzsébet, he vanishes from the story entirely, leaving the audience with unanswered questions. These narrative loose ends and the exhaustive runtime detract from the overall impact. The film would have benefited from tighter pacing and trimming, as its length makes it burdensome to watch in one sitting, even with a brief intermission.

Despite these flaws, The Brutalist succeeds as a fictional tale of survival—survival of the body, the spirit, and relationships. It earns a well-deserved four stars.