The Brutalist

 

           A stunning achievement by director and co-writer (with Mona Fastvold) Barry Corbett, this new drama tells the story of Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian-Jewish immigrant who arrives in New York two years after the end of World War Two. Laszlo is an architect struggling to achieve his American dream until fate introduces him to wealthy Harrison Lee Van Buren, who becomes his patron.

           Adrien Brody plays Toth and he is brilliant. He is the perfect "soulful" actor for the role. Guy Pierce plays Van Buren and it's his best role in years. The eccentric billionaire and the Jewish architect develop an unusual relationship when Van Buren commissions Toth to build a community center in honor of his late mother. The film co-stars  Felicity Jones, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Alessandro Nivola, and Emma Laird.

          Mr. Corbett has fashioned an emotional story of the immigrant experience. He also presents the film in an old fashioned Hollywood style. There is an Overture, then Act One, followed by an actual twenty minute intermission and then Act Two followed by an Epilogue. It's also filmed in Vistavison, providing a widescreen effect that blends beautifully with the camerawork.

          The film has stunning cinematography by Lol Crawley and superb art direction by Judy Becker. Combined with a wonderful score by Daniel Blumberg, costumes and sets, the film truly is a work of art.

          An epic story depicting the highs and lows of Laszlo's life (with an underlying theme of antisemitism running throughout), the film is mesmerizing, however, personally I felt the ending was too rushed and the epilogue left some unanswered questions. Even so, it is an intense experience best enjoyed on the large screen of a theater.