Story in a few words
The Brutalist is a period drama directed by Brady Corbet that explores the life of László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor, as he seeks to rebuild his life in post-war America. Alongside his wife, Erzsébet, László immigrates to the United States with hopes of realizing his architectural vision and achieving the American Dream. However, the realities of being a foreign artist in a new country present numerous obstacles, forcing him to struggle for recognition in an unfamiliar and often unwelcoming society.
The Brutalist is a period drama directed by Brady Corbet that explores the life of László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor, as he seeks to rebuild his life in post-war America. Alongside his wife, Erzsébet, László immigrates to the United States with hopes of realizing his architectural vision and achieving the American Dream. However, the realities of being a foreign artist in a new country present numerous obstacles, forcing him to struggle for recognition in an unfamiliar and often unwelcoming society.
His fate changes when a wealthy and enigmatic client, Harrison Lee Van Buren, offers him an ambitious commission that could define his career. While the opportunity promises success, it also comes with hidden costs, pushing László into moral and emotional conflicts. As he grapples with his artistic integrity, personal ambitions, and the pressures of his past, his relationship with Erzsébet is also tested.
The film delves into themes of ambition, resilience, artistic sacrifice, and the challenges of immigrant life, painting a portrait of a man caught between his dreams and the harsh realities of the world around him. With striking cinematography and an evocative atmosphere, The Brutalist is both a character study and a meditation on the impact of history, identity, and architecture on the human experience.
In my own words
Straight to the point—this is my new favorite film in terms of colors and cinematography. It is a true masterpiece, with its use of color and format reaching absolute perfection. I love that shooting on Kodak film is making a comeback in the world of cinema. Film stock gives movies a unique and beautiful color quality. You can literally see the difference while watching; sometimes, tiny white specks appear on the theater screen, which I find amazing.
Another aspect that stood out to me was the format. The director knew exactly what he was doing—since this is a film about architecture, the nearly square aspect ratio (35mm Film) was a perfect choice. The cinematography was also stunning; the shots were calm, symmetrical, and beautifully composed. Some landscape and building shots were so visually striking that I couldn’t help but whisper, "Wow." This is exactly my kind of filmmaking—clean, precise, and aesthetically balanced, much like the architecture featured in the film.
The combination of cinematography, music, and performances was excellent. Adrien Brody, in particular, delivered a fantastic performance. The film is gaining a lot of attention, not only because of his acting but also due to its unique visual style.
I could say much more, but instead, I encourage you to experience it for yourself. Watch it in a theater, you might just fall in love with its format and cinematography, just as I did.
Thank you for reading todays episode of Yuri's Film Collection.
16.02.2025
Directed by: Brady Corbet
Screenplay: Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold
Cast: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce
Screenplay: Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold
Cast: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce
All pictures are from IMDb