Brady Corbet’s *The Brutalist*; A Historical Epic Sparking Debate and Acclaim
Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, a sprawling historical epic, has emerged as one of the most talked-about films of the year, earning critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including 10 Oscar nods. The film stars Adrien Brody as László Tóth, a Hungarian Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor who emigrates to the United States in 1947 to rebuild his life and career. Alongside Brody, Felicity Jones plays his wife, Erzsébet, while Guy Pearce portrays Harrison Lee Van Buren, a wealthy industrialist who becomes both patron and antagonist to Tóth.
The film, which spans over three decades and runs for 215 minutes, explores themes of survival, art, and the immigrant experience. Shot primarily on 35mm film using the vintage VistaVision format, The Brutalist is a technical marvel, with cinematographer Lol Crawley capturing the stark beauty of brutalist architecture and the emotional weight of the characters’ journeys. The film’s score, composed by Daniel Blumberg, adds to its haunting atmosphere.
However, The Brutalist has also sparked controversy due to its use of AI technology. The film employed Respeecher, an AI tool, to refine the Hungarian accents of Brody and Jones, ensuring linguistic accuracy. While director Brady Corbet defended the use of AI as a means to preserve the authenticity of the performances, critics and audiences have debated the ethical implications of such technology in filmmaking. Additionally, generative AI was used to create architectural drawings in the film’s final sequence, further fueling the debate over AI’s role in creative industries.
Despite these controversies, The Brutalist has been praised for its ambitious storytelling and powerful performances. Brody, in particular, has been lauded for his portrayal of Tóth, a man grappling with trauma, ambition, and the complexities of artistic integrity. The film’s exploration of post-war America, xenophobia, and the immigrant struggle resonates deeply, even as some critics argue that its thematic scope occasionally overshadows its character development.
As The Brutalist continues its awards season run, it remains a polarising yet undeniably significant work, blending technical innovation with a deeply human story of resilience and creativity.
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Dezeen Magazine
The world's most influential architecture, interiors and design magazine
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Jewish war epic ‘The Brutalist’ picks up 10 Oscar nominations, ‘A Complete Unknown’ close behind
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