Hearing the buzz around this movie at it’s limited release and then getting nominated as a best picture for the up coming Oscars. I had to, and finally, checked out The Brutalist after finally releasing in my neck of the woods with such a slow role out in movie theatres.
Before we jump in, a small caveat. This film opens rather abruptly and fast. The subtitle text on screen is fast paced and at the bottom of the screen. I’ll have to rewatch this scene as I couldn’t enjoy what’s on screen while keeping up with the text. (I love watching SUB Anime so it’s not an issue with subtitles overall. Just the implementation in this movie.) Lastly some of the text is over hard to see areas like the sky which is hard to read. The whole movie isn’t in subtitles but when their used. It’s about 15% of the time it could be missed.
With that said, The Brutalist starts with a voice over of our leads wife as he’s escaping postwar Europe to New York prior to settling in Pennsylvania. Our lead, Laszlo Toth played by Adrien Brody is an extremely skilled architect that must rely on his visionary art to make it on his own while navigating the pressures of ambition and societal expectations. This film deep dives into Laszlo while introducing characters of his life throughout the film.
The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. The use of space and light mirrors the themes of isolation and beauty found in brutalist architecture itself. Every frame is meticulously crafted, drawing the viewer into a world that feels both cold and inviting simultaneously. The sound design complements this aesthetic beautifully, enhancing the emotional weight of key scenes.
This movie is long, its long and it’s long. Like long long. The first hour was the “Hardest” hour to get into. Mainly due to not knowing the intro due to the mentioned critique above and then working out what’s going on and connecting with the lead/characters. After this until the 15minute intermission was a blast and fast paced. I honestly wish certain scenes were cut to reduce the length down to 3 hours and skip the intermission. As much as a nice break, Wicked a 2 hour 40minute movie doesn’t feel long after watching it again. Adding 20minutes including the credits I could see do able (I’ll explain what I mean in the spoiler ish section below).
The performances are standout, particularly from the lead actor, who delivers a raw and nuanced portrayal of a man grappling with his demons. The supporting cast adds depth, with each character representing different facets of the protagonist’s psyche-doubt, ambition, and regret. Their interactions create a rich tapestry of human experience, making the film resonate on multiple levels.
While the pacing may feel deliberate at times, it serves to build tension and allows for moments of introspection that are crucial to the narrative. Some viewers may find the film’s artistic choices polarizing, but for those who appreciate a deeper, more contemplative story, The Brutalist offers a rewarding experience.
Due to the length, sadly like Dune Part 2, I can’t reward a 9 personally. This feature is visually stunning and thought-provoking that challenges the viewer to reflect on the intersections of art and life. It successfully balances its aesthetic ambitions with a poignant narrative, making it a must-watch for fans of character-driven cinema. With it’s compelling themes and striking visuals it earns a Popped score of 8/10.
Spoiler ish section
Spoilers
You’ve been warned!
There’s scenes in the film that were either cut or forgotten about as Laszlo relative had a scene on a river bank which seemed to allude to something awful a bout’s to occur. We’re left on the river bank and go back to Laszlo & his wife Erzsebet Toth played by Felicity Jones, where his relative (I believe it was niece (Can’t remember to be honest)) comes back adjusted her clothes. In the next/later scene when she appears, she’s with another individual and now appears pregnant.
Why was this river bank scene in here? For those that saw this movie please explain. Currently it’s scenes like this that could be cut from the film that didn’t lead anywhere and had no explanation later of what occurred.
Couple of scenes with Laszlo boss towards the end could also have used this time slot for better explanation because it just occurs and it’s over.
Otherwise I enjoyed this very long movie and probably will only watch it once again at a later date.
Thanks for coming by Popped.blog for the “Review” of The Brutalist. Stick around for another “Review” as we dive into the world of The Colors Within.
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