The desire to achieve the American Dream motivates nearly every immigrant who arrives in this country. How that dream looks can differ greatly depending on individual situations. However, as many newcomers learn, there's no assurance of success, and the path toward it can be more difficult than expected. The latest film from writer-director Brady Corbet centers around one such story: the journey of László Tóth (played by Adrien Brody), a made-up Jewish Hungarian architect who escapes Europe in 1947 after surviving imprisonment in a concentration camp during World War II. Initially, he struggles to adapt, rebuild his career, and reunite with his wife, Erzsebét (Felicity Jones). His luck changes considerably when he’s chosen to design an important mixed-use community center, thanks to the financial backing of a wealthy and influential industrialist (Guy Pearce), whose unpredictable and emotionally intense decisions give László a firsthand look at both the opportunities and dangers connected with that elusive American Dream. The filmmaker examines the highs and lows related to these themes throughout the film, along with various other story threads involving the protagonist’s work and personal life. These elements combine to create an interesting and captivating narrative, even though some of the storylines and characterizations feel inconsistent. That includes László himself, which feels somewhat confusing considering the movie's considerable length: 3 hours and 35 minutes (including an intermission). A film of this duration should allow enough time to fully develop its core story elements and characters. Despite that flaw, “The Brutalist” has many strengths, including excellent performances from Pearce, Jones, Golden Globe Award winner Brody, and a group of talented supporting actors, along with beautiful cinematography, a powerful original score, and consistently good pacing—a notable accomplishment for a film of this length. The beginning is definitely stronger than the later part, which occasionally feels slow as it progresses, but overall, this Golden Globe winner for best drama and best director generally holds up well. In an awards season that has seen many disappointing films, it’s refreshing to find one that comes closer to meeting the standards a film should have to earn recognition and attention. It isn't flawless, but it is significantly better than many other movies released in 2024.

Source on TMDB