The picture that is not only on every film-lovers minds at the minute, but is also racking up a hefty amount of nominations at every major awarding body this season, is none other than Brady Corbet's 'The Brutalist'. A three and a half hour epic that highlights the struggles of a Hungarian architect as he begins a new life in America following his escape from Europe in the midst of World War II.
Brady Corbet may not be the name that comes to most people's minds when they are tasked with picturing the next generation of talented filmmakers, but following the release of this film - he'll be at the top of every list.
One of the things that seem almost impossible to understand after seeing this film, is how the studio managed to create such a lengthy cinematic experience as this one, on a production budget of less than ten million dollars. Ever since the integration of blockbuster and sci-fi epics over the last few decades, we have seen films crash and burn following an over-utilised and unnecessary production value, hindering the film's chances of possessing any kind of success.
However, 'The Brutalist' is evidence that films can be made without spending hundreds of millions of dollars, and still be held to a high modern day standard.
If there were awarding bodies that celebrated just the opening scene of a film, then 'The Brutalist' would undoubtedly be sweeping them all. The 4-5 minute sequence where we see Adrien Brody's László Tóth navigate his way through a setting (which at this point we are unaware of), under the voiceover of Felicity Jones' Erzsébet Tóth as she emotionally delivers a hand-written letter to her husband, followed by the grand reveal of the iconic Statue Of Liberty, highlighting László's arrival in the States is a true cinematic masterpiece.
The story of this film follows a Hungarian architect (László) who has managed to escape a war-torn Europe and flee to the United States in an attempt to salvage any opportunity of a brand new life. After years of shovelling coal and residing on the floor of a church, László is given the opportunity by a wealthy land owner, to put his architectural skills to use and fully design and oversee the production of a large scale community centre on the outskirts of Philadelphia.
As the project sets it's sails, László becomes reunited with his wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones). But following her arrival, a series of unfortunate events sees the Tóth's and their journey having to adapt to the struggling scenarios they find themselves in.
Brady Corbet utilises this film as an opportunity to showcase his brilliant sense of unique creativity. There are very few films that involve a self-embedded 15 minute intermission, and although at first this may seem displeasing to the audience, I for one found the brief pause in the storyline as a pleasant opportunity to prepare oneself for the second act of the film.
But not only this, the cinematography, the dramatic use of voice-overs, the setting of tones and the changes in story all form together to showcase a true act of masterclass from filmmaker and writer, Brady Corbet. A man who would be deemed more than worthy of a Best Director win at the Academy Awards on March 2nd.
The acting trio of Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce are all at the very top of their games in this film. Brody and Jones are perfect as the duo of husband and wife, grateful that they are blessed with eachother's presence following their escape from Europe. Whereas Pearce is playing at a completely different tone, one we have not seem him breach the boundaries of before.
Guy Pearce does a tremendous job in this film of portraying Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr, the wealthy land owner who hires László to build a state-of-the-art community centre, in memory of his late Mother. Throughout the film, the character of Harrison represents the entirety of the upper class in the United States throughout this era, and their opinions of inferiority they posses over the European refugees they now live among.
On the surface, this film can be disguised as a story about various things: the art of architecture, the upsets caused by World War II, the upper class' disgust of the immigrants they are forced to share land with. But despite these all being debatable talking points, I would argue that this film is a story about love.
Throughout the story's entirety, we are exposed to László becoming obsessed with his art, the job he is hired to do. However, it isn't until the very last scene that it is revealed to us the true intentions behind László's obsession that almost drove him to insanity - his never-dying passion for his loved ones.
PrimeTime Films Score: B+
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