Movie Discovery: The Brutalist by Henry Castel
One week after its big Oscar win, Let’s Talk About The Brutalist.
The Brutalist takes us on a masterful, epic journey spanning nearly 30 years, centered on László Toth, a visionary architect commissioned by a wealthy industrialist to shape the architecture of modern-day America. Let’s dive in.?
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László Toth, a talented architect, studied at the Bauhaus and became affiliated with the Brutalist architectural movement—a heavier, more expressive style primarily using concrete and occasionally brick. While the Bauhaus emphasized function and simplicity, Brutalism celebrated raw materials, bold expression, and the absence of ornamentation. It was a style that sought to tell the story of an era and reflect the mentalities of the time. To understand Brutalism, one need only look at some of Le Corbusier’s early works, which were among its first manifestations.?
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Fleeing post-war Europe, László Toth (played by Adrien Brody) arrives in America to rebuild his life, career, and the fractured relationship with his wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones). Their marriage, like much of Europe, has been deeply scarred by the chaos of shifting borders and regimes during the war. Settling in Pennsylvania, László catches the attention of Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a wealthy industrialist who recognizes his talent as a builder. However, power and legacy come at a steep price.?
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Van Buren commissions László to construct an eccentric, ambitious building. As the project unfolds over the course of the film, it becomes a metaphor for the unraveling of relationships and the corrupting influence of power. The demands of the patron grow increasingly unreasonable, echoing the myth of Sisyphus, who was condemned to eternally push a boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down. Similarly, László’s pursuit of perfection and recognition becomes a never-ending struggle.?
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László’s American Dream quickly reveals itself to be an illusion. The status and reputation he enjoyed in Budapest mean little in the privileged circles of Pennsylvania. The film exposes the harsh realities of capitalism, unapologetic anti-Semitism, latent poverty, and the flaws of the American Dream.?
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A pivotal moment in the film is the arrival of László’s wife, Erzsébet, and their niece. Their disdain for this new life becomes a turning point, highlighting the flaws of the system. The world of capitalism and liberalism horrifies them, and their rejection underscores the brutality of the system—a brutality reflected not only in the film’s title but also in its architectural themes.?
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The Brutalist is more than just a film about architecture. It is a meditation on creativity, creation, and talent, all deeply intertwined with the trauma of the post-war era. Architecture here becomes a lens through which we examine the human condition.?
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One of the film’s most poignant elements is its subtle handling of the Holocaust. While the genocide is never explicitly shown, it is etched into László’s face—haunted, tormented, and tortured by the weight of his past. When he finally arrives in America and catches sight of the Statue of Liberty, a flicker of hope lights up his eyes. But is this hope as fragile as the statue’s dimmed flame? The film leaves us questioning whether his dreams will endure or crumble under the weight of reality.?
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If you haven’t seen The Brutalist yet, I highly recommend it. It’s a profound exploration of art, ambition, and the human spirit, wrapped in a visually stunning narrative.?
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Engineer success, encourage excellence, and upsurge leadership by Henry Castel?
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