An Architectural Odyssey: 'The Brutalist'
The film is about the life of the post-war Hungarian architect László Toth and the cultural tensions that arise when he emigrates to the U.S. with his wife Erzsébet, and is haunted by the mysterious client Harrison Van Buren.The Brutalist explores issues of the architectural culture, the identity, the price of individuality, and greed. Humor is interspersed with the gravitas of melancholic resignation to duty and sacrifice.
Adrien Brody rounding up the movie as László an impressionist artist whose struggle in the movie is that between aspiration and responsibility. Felicity Jones as Erzsébet is genuinely touching representing a wife who remains loyal to her husband during years of revolution. Every individual is depicted in a realistic way; depth is added to the story.
Frankly, Brady Corbet’s style is characterized by a high degree of directors’ detail that reflects architectural motifs of the characters. It brings substance and realism to the portrayal of the character relationships.
The music perfectly complements the film and amplifies emotions, as well as bonds to specific events or situations.
When it comes to cinematography, it used references to architectural motifs. It has been shot in a very competent manner, effectively portraying the brutality of the brutalists’ style of architecture and the monochromic 60s.
The cinematography and art direction obviously play a big part, providing believable set technologies and locales appropriate to mid-century Britain’s architectural and socio-political sentiments.
The few instances of the use of special effects are well-executed in support of the historical periods and dramatic scenes.
The The minuses include subplots which though dramatic serve to slow the pace of the show without necessarily adding value. It is somewhat disappointing that several subplots seem inconclusive, which makes particular character’s motives quite unclear.
The Brutalist is a time-traveling and art criticism reflection on identity. This can be considered as the ever dominant sign and struggle of architectural idea and of people’s will-power. Still, ‘The Life of David Gale’ sustains a strongly powerful statement that makes an audience think long after the movie is over.
