The Brutalist Provides Gripping Entertainment

This is an excellent movie-long enough to include an intermission but gripping throughout.

Courtesy Brookstreet Pictures

Adrien Brody plays László Toth, a Holocaust survivor who moves to Pennsylvania to rebuild his life in The Brutalist.

Written and directed by Brady Corbet, The Brutalist stars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce.

Brody plays László Toth, a Holocaust survivor who moves to Pennsylvania to rebuild his life. The film follows him as he struggles with the separation from his family, adapting to a new culture and language, and processing the horrors of his past. Toth is an architect, more than just an architect, he is an artist-architect-a visionary who was well-known before World War II and now seeks to reestablish himself.

His journey takes a turn when he finds a patron, Harrison Van Buren (played by Pearce), a wealthy man who hires him to design a community center. Later, his wife (played by Jones) joins him in America.

Throughout the film, we see Toth navigate the challenges of realizing his architectural vision while also satisfying his benefactor and those around him. The film delves into his personal struggles and the tension between artistic integrity and external pressures.

Brody and Pearce deliver excellent performances. While I generally like Felicity Jones as an actor, her character in this film feels somewhat miscast. Her character didn't work for me. The film touches on the complex, often uneasy relationship between artist and patron, with Pearce embodying the slick, status-conscious benefactor eager to impress his peers.

Beyond its central story, The Brutalist offers thoughtful commentary on wealth in America, the immigrant experience, and the struggle to stay true to one's vision while dealing with trauma.

The film lingered with me long after the credits rolled, prompting reflection on these themes. I especially appreciated the film's ultimate message-that an artist can remain true to their vision while still finding ways to integrate into a new society.

I highly recommend The Brutalist.