Movies
The Brutalist: an agile film despite its three-hour-plus running time
The Brutalist shows us why it is one of the most promising films on the road to the Oscars.
How a character deals with adversity is one of the most important things a play can show us. On our road to The Oscars, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist shows us the journey of a survivor in a world that admires him but does not appreciate him.
The Brutalist tells the story of László Tóth, played by Adrien Brody, a Hungarian architect and Jewish Holocaust survivor. Separated from his wife Erszebét, played by Felicity Jones, during World War II, he comes to America in search of the famous American Dream. Initially supported by his cousin Attila and his furniture business, he is taken in by the wealthy Harrison Lee Van Buren, played by Guy Pearce, who will change his life and set him on the path to a project that will consume his life.
The plot spans nearly 30 years of Toth’s life in the United States and deals with themes of Toth’s loneliness and his change to the American dream in a journey against the tide. From being separated from his wife, knowing they both survived the war, to being alone in a strange country despite having his family. Add to that his drug addiction and how he still struggles to show his knowledge, his art and how his architecture is part of the key to everything he has inside.
From the very beginning of The Brutalist, it is clear that the cinematography is one of the best-worked aspects of the work. From the very special opening credits to the very well done framing to show the companionship and loneliness of the characters that appear on screen. Undoubtedly, another detail to mention is the length of the movie. With almost three and a half hours of footage, the pacing of the movie is quite agile in its first half. And yes, I say first half, because the movie is divided into two, with a 15-minute break. This allow the audience to rest and prepare for a second half that is a bit denser than you might expect.
As for the performances, Adrien Brody’s work is impressive. His interpretation of László Tóth over the years shows a man in a constant process of introspection, trying to overcome the physical and mental pains he suffers. Guy Pearce, also has an incredible performance, playing his character with great ease, imbuing him with great intensity. Felicity Jones, for her part, does a great job with a vulnerable character who, despite the odds, is always surviving.
Despite its great successes, The Brutalist has some flaws, which do not go beyond minor details. At the end, its director, Brady Corbet, seems rushed, with a final sequence that is completely unfinished, although it is good to leave something to the imagination of the viewer. Yet, it is in the epilogue that everything seems even more rushed. Although it manages to give closure and explanation, it feels very sudden, explaining many situations and concepts that have been floating around throughout the movie.
In the end, The Brutalist manages to be a great movie, worthy of the awards season. Its long length, while intimidating, is understandable. It manages to tell a story that is not at all heavy-handed. keeping the viewer interested in the trials and tribulations of László Tóth to convey all that he has captured. With great performances, pacing, and stunning cinematography, this is a movie well worth seeing.
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