REVIEW: ‘The Brutalist’ is a monumental film about the American dream

You know those expectation Vs. reality memes? Well, the two halves of this movie is kind of like that in relation to the immigrant experience in America.

This movie is just a tad bit more complex than a meme, though. “The Brutalist” is an epic three-and-a-half-hour character study about an architect, László Tóth (Adrien Brody), who arrives in the U.S. from Hungary just after World War II.

A Holocaust survivor, Tóth comes to America with hopes of a new start for him and his wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones), who is still in Europe. Eventually, Tóth gets an opportunity to put his experience in architecture to work. However, he learns over time that there are new hardships in the States he has to face.

“The Brutalist” is a titan of a movie that certainly earns its historical epic moniker, as its a tale told in long, grandiose fashion in the post WWII decades. However, it is somewhat different than other major historical productions in that it is rather intimate. Others tend to be larger in scope.

Take, for example, 2019’s “The Irishman” by Martin Scorsese. That film, coming to three and a half hours, does tell a character-driven story, but also intertwines itself with specific events in American history and has the character traverse to many places.

“The Brutalist, meanwhile, is set largely in just a few locations, and is centered on men whose actions really only impact those around them and the immediate area. However, despite not being tied to historical moments or sprawling over many areas, “The Brutalist” still feels like a film big in stature.

It does so because it’s such a sweeping character study that thoroughly explores so many themes. The corrupting nature of the American dream, the immigrant experience of acclimating to the U.S., clashes of art and vision against driving forces of capitalism, as well as how ambition can turn to egoism, is all ever present.

Sometimes a film with so much to say can feel heavy handed in its messaging, yet “The Brutalist” never does. Everything experienced feels very personal to the characters and there’s truth in what they’re going through and the world around them.

Even with fiction, Corbet is able to tell the story of post-World War II America’s industrial age and promise of tomorrow, as well as the difficulties that remained in society. That story is told with so much attention to detail that the movie never overstays its welcome despite the runtime. 

Admittedly, it does take some time for “The Brutalist” to really get going. That’s not to say the movie doesn’t hook a viewer in from the beginning, but it doesn’t quite grip the audience at first. Once the plot thickens, though, it becomes legitimately captivating. Think of it like a freight train leaving a station, it takes a minute to get to full speed, but once it does, watch out.

The argument can actually be made that a film of this size could have used even more time to its total. There were a few plot points that could have more fleshed out or had more of a conclusion. One can respect Corbet for not handholding the audience all the way through, but still, it would have been nice for a few more scenes to expand a few details.

Where there’s no doubt is in the acting. First and foremost, Brody gives a legendary performance. As an Oscar winner, it’s not surprising that Brody is so superb, but it merits praise.

His portrayal of a man who evolves from an optimist overcoming hardships to an obsessive person fueled by vision to the detriment of those around him is impeccable. It’s such a complex character and Brody excels.

Giving just as powerful of a performance is Emmy winner Guy Pearce. He is just phenomenal as the industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren who hires Tóth to construct a mega community center in a small Pennsylvania town near Philadelphia. Again, he’s a wonderfully complex individual and Pearce makes him so compelling.

One can’t overlook what Golden Globe nominee Felicity Jones does here, either. Erzsébet is an amazing character, brimming with personality and conviction. She suffers from osteoporosis, and Jones portrays her pain, but also her resolve to keep living and hold people accountable.

The film is also visually arresting. The camerawork at play captures both the magnitude of the characters’ ambitions while also closing in on the personal, emotional scenes of those on screen.

From a shot in the opening featuring the Statue of Liberty to intimate moments with the characters, the movie is distinct to the eye. The movie overall just has a richness in terms of how it looks, and its appearance changes over time to fit the mood.

It’s hard to comment on everything “The Brutalist” does, and does well, because there’s just so much. It’s a huge film, with Oscar-caliber acting, elite production, set, and costume design, a strong visual aesthetic and a riveting story. While the film leaves one wanting a few plot points more developed, it’s hard to find fault with “The Brutalist.” It’s definitely one of 2024’s best films, if not the best. 5 out of 5.