In 2018, actor-turned-filmmaker Brady Corbet turned heads with his sophomore feature, Vox Lux. The Natalie Portman-led dark musical harnessed an uncompromising vision that, at the time, felt exciting and fresh. It was a bold introduction to his aesthetic and unique visual style as an artist. In his latest film, The Brutalist, Corbet doesn’t so much turn heads as he does command the room. A larger-than-life story about an architect who immigrates to America with nothing more than a dream, The Brutalist is a defiant, fiery magnum opus whose enduring appeal will withstand the test of time.

The Immigrant Experience Mirrors the Artistic One

Adrien Brody plays the fictional character László Toth, a visionary Hungarian-Jewish architect who finds refuge in America from his war-torn homeland in Eastern Europe. Famed for his stunning brutalist structures in his native Budapest, the ongoing political struggle has forced him to flee and temporarily leave his wife Erzébet (Felicity Jones)and niece Zsófia (Raffey Cassidy) behind.

Once in America, Pennsylvania to be exact, László is greeted warmly by his cousin who eagerly gives him a job at his modest furniture shop. While there, he meets the bullish and egotistical Harry Lee (Joe Alwyn) and his wealthy aristocratic and industrialist father Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr. (Guy Pearce). Harrison is transfixed by László’s constructions, and he presents the talented designer with a life-changing opportunity. Harrison commissions László to build a dynamic modernist monument that will forever be etched into the fabric of the American landscape.

Watch The Brutalist trailer here.

This is László’s golden ticket. Steady work guarantees he can bring his wife and niece to America and give them a better life. He begins construction on the large-scale structure and it all seems to be going according to plan. However, with mounting pressure from Harrison and the weight of isolation finally starting to crack László’s tough exterior, he begins to spiral. Even with his wife and niece by his side, László realizes just how quickly the American dream can turn into a nightmare.

“It’s not the journey, it’s the destination.”

There is an ongoing theme throughout The Brutalist which shows an artist’s sacrifice in order to execute their vision. No doubt the parallels between László and Corbet are strong, as the filmmaker spent seven years crafting and perfecting his vision. His patience has more than paid off. The Brutalist won five awards during its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival, including the Silver Lion honor of Best Director.

Filming in VistaVision, which Alfred Hitchcock employed in North by Northwest and Vertigo

For its humble budget of $10 million, Corbet & company easily make The Brutalist look and feel like it had a $40-$50 million budget. It’s worth noting that, according to online statistics, A24’s average production budget for films in 2023 was $15.36 million. The scope of this film is monumental, from the expansive sets to the period costumes and the actual story itself. Corbet further accentuates László’s world by capturing the film in VistaVision, a high-res, widescreen variant of the 35 mm format.

The handheld opening sequence immerses the viewer into feeling like they were in László’s shoes. This intimate and personal experience is jarringly effective, amplified by the dissonant score from composer Daniel Blumberg. The film offers a mix of handheld and steady shots, delicately framed by cinematographer Lol Crawley. His use of lighting and shadow play gives every frame a museum-quality depth which is aptly fitting for a film about an artist.

Takeaway

Running over three and a half hours long, with one smartly placed 15-minute intermission, The Brutalist is a profound cinematic achievement by all involved. From the stunning title cards to the rich performances that will no doubt be the talk of awards season, The Brutalist is a psychologically introspective and intellectually stimulating stroke of genius.