'The Brutalist' Film Review
Adrien Brody delivers a performance reminiscent of his role in the 2002 film The Pianist. Here, he portrays a Jewish immigrant architect who escapes the horrors of the Holocaust to build a new life in America. Despite the daunting 215-minute runtime—including a 15-minute intermission—it remains a breathtaking cinematic experience, with few tedious moments.
Though some have compared its tone to There Will Be Blood, this is unmistakably a Brady Corbet vehicle. Fans of his previous two films will recognize his distinctive approach to scene construction and visual storytelling. Corbet’s ideas are ambitious, but they don’t always align seamlessly with the film’s intentionally methodical pacing. However, given the modest budget of just under $10 million, its aspirations and production are nothing short of remarkable.
Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce lead the cast with standout performances, sharing several extraordinary scenes—even if their dynamic occasionally veers off course. Felicity Jones is solid but sometimes feels a bit more like a distraction than an integral part of the story. Nevertheless, the narrative flows with such vigor and passion that it’s hard to critique something so deeply earnest.
Could watching the film on a smaller screen in a few years diminish the experience? Possibly. However, The Brutalist offers an unflinching examination of the immigrant experience—one that is sure to challenge viewers, make them uncomfortable at times, and inspire reflection on their own morals. While I personally preferred Corbet’s prior film, Vox Lux, The Brutalist remains a must-see for anyone seeking a truly unique cinematic journey.
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