Brutalist recently won the Best Motion Picture – Drama category at the Golden Globes, and Adrien Brody, who portrayed the lead character, earned the Best Actor award for his performance.
The film was released in the United States on December 20, 2024, but unfortunately faced a poor reception, earning only $11.5 million against a production budget of $9.6 million. Its financial struggles suggest it may not achieve significant commercial success, a challenge it also faces upon its release in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2025, despite its Golden Globe accolades.
Regardless of its economic performance, I consider Brutalist to be the standout film of 2024. The film transcends conventional storytelling, presenting itself as a cinematic poem that invites viewers into a profound experience. The artistry displayed in this film, characterized by its meditative quality, offers an infinite journey of appreciation.
Brady Corbet, the director, skillfully combines cinematography, editing, and music to create an atmosphere of stillness and contemplation. This approach provides the audience with an opportunity to reflect deeply and enter a state of meditation.
Adrien Brody’s performance as László Tóth is reminiscent of his acclaimed role in Roman Polanski’s The Pianist (2002). In my view, this is one of his finest roles to date, validated by his Best Actor win at the Golden Globes. I also believe he stands a strong chance for an Oscar nomination this year.
The film’s music, crafted by Jewish composer Daniel Blumberg, adds another layer of significance, especially considering the profound impact of World War II on the Jewish community. Blumberg’s contributions resonate deeply, particularly in scenes involving characters who survived the Holocaust.
The cinematography by Lol Crawley, with its slow camera movements, captures the essence of Brutalist beautifully, while David Jancso’s meticulous editing further enhances the film’s light and impact.
In a landscape dominated by fast-paced films, Brutalist bravely carves its own path, delivering an impactful cinematic experience regardless of its financial outcomes. The film stands as a significant artistic achievement, highlighting the importance of powerful storytelling in today’s cinematic world.
Story
Part 1: The Enigma of Arrival
László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor, arrives in America after being forcibly separated from his wife and orphaned niece. Settling with relatives in Philadelphia, he seeks employment to rebuild his life as a former architect.
By 1947, László is assisting his cousin Attila in a furniture business. They receive a commission to renovate a section of the home belonging to the wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren, requested by his son Harry while the elder Van Buren is away. When Harrison unexpectedly returns early, he is furious upon seeing the state of the renovations and dismisses László and Attila without pay. Following this incident, Attila expels László from their home, citing the firing and his wife’s untrue allegations of inappropriate advances from László.
Moving to 1950, László finds himself living in a charity housing facility, struggling with heroin addiction alongside Gordon, a single father whom he befriended shortly after his arrival. Harrison reappears, informing László that his innovative renovation has been praised in the architectural community and offers to pay him for his previous work. The two men subsequently use the payment to buy more heroin.
Harrison invites László to a celebratory event in his honor, unveiling László’s past as a distinguished architect in Europe. Recognizing László’s ambition to create something lasting, Harrison commissions him to design an ambitious community center in memory of his deceased mother. This facility is to include a library, theater, gymnasium, and chapel. Construction starts immediately, with László living on-site and employing Gordon; both men are now deeply entrenched in their addiction. As part of their agreement, Harrison arranges for László’s wife and niece to immigrate to the United States through his personal lawyer.
Part 2: The Hard Core of Beauty
In 1953, László eagerly awaits his wife and niece, Erzsébet and Zsófia, at the train station, only to find Erzsébet wheelchair-bound due to osteoporosis and Zsófia rendered mute from her wartime trauma. During the centre’s construction, László faces disputes with other developers over his design. Harry’s crude comments about Zsófia suggest a troubling history, and László warns her to steer clear of him, as he implies Harry has already assaulted her. When a train carrying materials derails, resulting in costly legal troubles, a frustrated Harrison halts the project, leading to job losses for everyone involved.
Years later, László found work at an architecture firm in New York City, where he and Erzsébet adapted to a bustling urban life. Zsófia, having regained her voice, announces her pregnancy with her Jewish husband and their plans to move to Jerusalem, in the newly founded state of Israel. Out of the blue, Harrison reaches out to László, proposing to resume construction on the community centre.
While sourcing marble in the mines of Carrara, Harrison sexually assaults László as a display of power, leaving him deeply traumatized. Back on site, László spirals into chaos, becoming aggressive and ultimately firing Gordon. His addiction leads to a near-fatal incident with Erzsébet, prompting her to suggest they relocate to Jerusalem to join Zsófia and her family. During this conversation, Erzsébet reveals that while high on heroin, László had inadvertently disclosed Harrison’s assault.
Shortly after, in a surprising turn of events, Erzsébet confronts Harrison at his home, denouncing him as a rapist in front of his family and guests. In response, an enraged Harry violently attacks her, resulting in chaos as guests flee, and Harrison disappears from the scene within the community centre.
