The Brutalist tells the compelling story of László Tóth, a Hungarian immigrant and Holocaust survivor striving to rebuild his life in post-war America as an architect.
The film explores themes of survival, artistic ambition, and identity against an epic backdrop.
Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody takes on the role of László, drawing deeply from his own family history.
Reflecting on his mother and grandparents’ escape from Hungary during the 1950s—when the country was becoming a Soviet satellite state—Brody describes the role as a deeply personal journey.
“The wonderful thing is, it’s an opportunity for me to honor my ancestral struggles—my mother and grandparents’ hardships and loss in fleeing Hungary and emigrating to the United States,” Brody shares.
“It’s very moving to be reminded of the details and hardships they experienced, which parallel the lived experience of my character.”
Brody also finds a personal connection between his character’s creative drive and his own journey as an actor.
“Any artistic person, I think, can relate to the struggle and yearning to create a body of work and leave behind something of great meaning,” he says.
The relationships in The Brutalist are intimate and emotionally charged, yet the film unfolds on an epic scale, including a runtime of over three-and-a-half hours.
Director Brady Corbet defends the length, emphasizing its artistic intent.
“The length of a movie is similar to the length of a book, a double album, or a painting with a big canvas,” he explains.
With an intermission splitting the film into two 100-minute halves, Corbet believes audiences will embrace the experience.
Felicity Jones, who plays Erzsébet, László’s wife, says she was drawn to the strength and complexity of her character.
“I spend most of my life foraging through scripts, trying to find decent characters to play,” Jones reveals.
“I have to find someone with spunk or defiance, and when I read the script, it was an absolute no-brainer. This woman is tremendous.”
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when László is commissioned by wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (played by Guy Pearce) to design a grand project in honor of Van Buren’s late mother.
The dynamic between the two characters creates an intriguing power balance.
Pearce admires Brody’s performance, saying, “Adrien plays a man with a strong sense of self, which contrasts with Van Buren’s expectations. Their dynamic was fascinating to work with.”
The film has received widespread acclaim, earning 10 Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Brody.
Even before the nominations were announced, Brody expressed gratitude for the recognition The Brutalist had garnered.
“I’m just really grateful and appreciative to have had a chance to flourish in a work I’ve dedicated my life to,” he says. “When that is received with respect and appreciation, it’s very rewarding.”
The Brutalist is more than just a story of architecture—it’s a tribute to resilience, artistry, and the enduring human spirit.
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