With his third feature film, Brady Corbet has achieved what many filmmakers spend their entire career chasing. The Brutalist is a towering film, both intimate and monumental in scope. This is the next great American epic, carving its place in cinema history as one of the best films of the decade.
I refuse to believe this is the work of a director with only two other films under his belt. This feels like the magnum opus of a storyteller decades into their career. It’s a sprawling portrait of the twisted American Dream and the brutal immigrant experience. Its grandeur is something not often captured in modern cinema, but it rarely, if ever loses sight of the beautiful character study at its core. It’s three and a half hour runtime (complete with a perfectly placed intermission) is daunting, but I urge you to experience it in theatres if you’re able to.
The plot leading up to the intermission moves slowly, but it’s paced perfectly for the story being told. The world building and character work done in this first half is brilliant, and crucial to events that unfold in the second. I was so absorbed by this tale of hope, devastation and ambition that comprise the so called American Dream. The second half moves more swiftly, and even though some elements in the final act feel rushed, the overarching narrative doesn’t lose its effectiveness. There are a few moments that didn’t totally work for me, but I admire Corbet for not compromising on his stunning vision.
This film doesn’t just feel grand in terms of narrative scope, but also in its stunning presentation. With a reported budget of around 10 million, every penny was expertly spent. Visually, this looks closer to a production with five times the budget, and it really goes to show what can be achieved with the right creative team. Shot on silky 35mm, it resembles a bygone era of cinema, transporting audiences into post-WW2 America. The cinematography is breathtaking, with such careful consideration behind every frame. Daniel Blumberg’s bombastic score will send shivers down your spine. The use of the film’s overture in key moments represents some of the year’s best music placement.
Someone hand Adrien Brody his second Oscar, because this stands alongside his turn in The Pianist as an all time great performance. The controversy surrounding the use of AI to enhance his Hungarian accent is unfortunate, because it doesn’t once take away from how much he gives to this role. It’s an emotional rawness that arguably triumphs over his fellow Oscar nominees, and essentially what keeps this sprawling story anchored. Felicity Jones is exceptional alongside Brody, as these two form a complex, all-enduring bond in their on-screen marriage. Guy Pearce is garnering a lot of Awards recognition for his supporting role, and it’s entirely deserved. He perfectly embodies a hot headed, egotistical billionaire with swagger and troubling unease. His interactions with Brody are, to quote his character, “intellectually stimulating”.
The Brutalist is a stunning achievement. Brady Corbet has crafted an ambitious American epic - a near masterpiece that will undoubtedly become a cinematic classic, and stand the ultimate test of time.
5/5