Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist feels like a step back in time from today’s cinematic landscape, and is another thought provoking achievement in A24’s catalog of films. It presents a sprawling, old-fashioned epic shot in 70mm that challenges modern audience expectations with its deliberate pacing and thematic depth. With this film clocking in at a bold 3 hours and 35 minutes (complete with an intermission),it demands a bit of patience nearly rewards those willing to embrace its towering vision of artistry, ambition, and the cost of creative integrity.
A Story of Vision and Struggle
Set in 1947, The Brutalist follows a visionary architect, played with quiet intensity by Adrien Brody, and his wife portrayed by Felicity Jones, as they flee post-war Europe in search of a new beginning in America. Their dream of rebuilding a life and legacy takes a fateful turn when a wealthy client (Guy Pearce) commissions Brody’s character to design a grand modernist monument in a small town in Pennsylvania, wanting the design to be one that will define the landscape of a rapidly evolving nation. However, what should be the crowning acheivement of his career soon morphs into an all-consuming test of artistic integrity, personal sacrifice, and a struggle of power and control.
Brody delivers what is arguably his finest work since his Academy Award. His character’s journey, ranging from quiet hope to obsessive desperation, is rendered with a mix of heartbreak and nuance. A particularly poignant moment occurs when he’s presented with photographs of buildings he believed lost to history, offering a rare, fleeting glimpse of triumph in a career filled with challenges.
Felicity Jones shines, proving again why she’s one of the most talented actors of her generation, portraying a woman caught between love, duty, and the slow erosion of a dream. Yet suprisingly, it is Guy Pearce who delivers the film’s most compelling performance. His character offers an initial bitterness with a rude reaction to Brody’s character, then quickly switches to that of generosity after his work is recieved by many to be one of modern genius. Eventually he presents layers of manipulation, control, and quiet menace that emerges as the film unfolds. The way he navigates business dealings and personal relationships reveals a man who will stop at nothing to maintain power, making him a formidable antagonist without ever resorting to any sort of classic theatrical villainy.
The Brutalist serves as a statement on the struggle of an artist in a world driven by commerce and compromise. Brody’s architech character faces a dilemma familiar to creatives everywhere: how much of oneself can be sacrificed before the work loses it’s creative soul? There’s a particularly tough sequence where he debates cutting his own pay to ensure a specific architectural detail—a high ceiling—remains intact. It serves as a bit of a metaphor for the way artists are often forced to battle financiers, and the sacrifices many of them likely make all for the sake of creating something greater.
Shot on 70mm and presented in the rarely-seen VistaVision format, The Brutalist feels like a relic of Hollywood’s golden age. Corbet directs with a keen eye, favoring long takes and grand, sweeping compositions that make every frame feel like a painting. The cinematography is breathtaking, taking the on a journey back to a time in an America that is both full of promise and filled with unseen personal and professional battles.
That said, the film’s pacing may challenge some viewers. Important revelations unfold well past the hour mark, and the storytelling adheres more to classical cinema’s patient rhythms than the rapid-fire tempo of modern filmmaking. There’s even an intermission during the film, which adds to the art of the thematic art of a lost genre it promotes. Additionally, the epilogue presents a controversial point of discussion, as it attempts to spell out certain thematic elements some may find a bit unnecessary.
After such an immersive emotional journey the end of the film felt too explanatory, which breaks the spell it had on me and my investment in the characters’ journey. Honestly it made me feel as if the studio went over budget in production and just decided to cut the final 15 minutes out of the film, jumping to the final scene highlighting the entire career of Brody’s character. It’s slightly confusing and may leave the audience with a few unanswered questions.
Final Verdict
The Brutalist is a towering achievement, blending staggering visual craftsmanship with deeply resonant themes. It may not cater to mainstream tastes, but for those who appreciate ambitious, thought-provoking cinema, Corbet has delivered something extraordinary. While its runtime and deliberate pacing may deter some, those who embrace its slow-burn intensity will find themselves rewarded with one of the year’s most compelling cinematic experiences.