After much anticipation, The Brutalist, starring Adrien Brody, is finally receiving its wide release.
This ambitious and thought-provoking film runs a sprawling three and a half hours, feeling like a two-part epic with an intermission. Directed with meticulous care, it delivers a rich narrative blending historical commentary with artistic symbolism.
The film opens in a dark, mysterious moment as a letter is read aloud, and the audience is introduced to Brody’s character, Laszlo.
The setting is initially ambiguous; he appears to move through shadowy corridors, possibly in a concentration camp, though this is left intentionally unclear. Then comes the first striking visual—one destined to spark conversation. Laszlo steps onto the deck of a ship, light breaks through, and the audience is confronted with an inverted Statue of Liberty. Viewed from two angles—upside down and sideways—the shot speaks volumes about the film’s themes.
The upside-down Statue of Liberty serves as a critique of industrialism, capitalism, and America’s treatment of immigrants. It’s a haunting juxtaposition: the symbol of freedom distorted, freedom that remains inaccessible to Laszlo and countless others like him. This imagery sets the stage for a narrative deeply rooted in the immigrant experience, particularly Jewish immigrants during and after World War II.
A Historical Lens on Immigration
The film doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. As history shows, during the 1930s and 1940s, Jewish immigrants fleeing the horrors of Nazi concentration camps were often turned away from countries, including the United States. Ships carrying refugees were denied entry, forcing many to return to Europe, where they faced unimaginable atrocities. The Brutalist uses Laszlo’s journey to explore these historical injustices, laying bare the contradictions of a nation that touts liberty while denying it to those in need.
When Laszlo finally arrives in America, the land of supposed opportunity, his experience remains fraught with rejection. His first stop is Philadelphia, where he meets a cousin who has renounced his Jewish identity to assimilate and succeed in American society. Their strained relationship underscores a recurring theme: survival often comes at the cost of personal identity and heritage.
The Duality of Industrialism
At the heart of the film is a poignant exploration of industrialism and its impact on humanity. Laszlo’s architectural work becomes a central metaphor, reflecting both his personal struggles and broader societal conflicts. One particularly striking sequence shows an empty hill transformed into a forest of steel beams and concrete—a stark reminder of how industrial progress can erase the natural world and, by extension, the humanity it displaces.
Trains and steel, foundational elements of America’s industrial rise, are recurring motifs. A long, deliberate scene following a train culminates in an explosive moment, a visual metaphor for how the promises of industrialism and capitalism can implode under their own weight. These moments resonate deeply, illustrating how progress for some often comes at the expense of others.
A Complex Web of Characters
The narrative is driven by its rich and complex characters. Laszlo’s wife, Erzabet, faces her own struggles to fit into American society, while their niece ultimately chooses to leave for Israel, unable to find a sense of belonging in the U.S. These characters embody the immigrant experience, grappling with rejection and the loss of identity in a foreign land.
Laszlo’s interactions with Harrison, a wealthy and well-connected American, provide some of the film’s most compelling moments. Harrison, while appreciating Laszlo’s architectural talent, views him as little more than a tool for his empire—a dynamic steeped in subtle but unmistakable racism. This relationship highlights the power imbalance between the privileged and the marginalized, a recurring theme throughout the film.
Symbolism and Resolution
One of the most striking revelations comes near the film’s end, when it’s revealed that the chapel Laszlo designs is modeled after his holding cell in Buchenwald. Its narrow, towering structure, with small windows letting in streams of light, reflects both his suffering and his hope for escape. This revelation ties together the film’s exploration of trauma, survival, and the ways we process and reinterpret our experiences.
The film concludes with a poignant line from Laszlo’s niece’s daughter: “It’s not about the journey; it’s the destination.” This sentiment invites viewers to reflect on the film’s themes and draw their own conclusions about the characters’ struggles and triumphs.
Final Thoughts
The Brutalist is an ambitious, deeply layered film that tackles themes of industrialism, immigration, capitalism, and survival with unflinching honesty. While some viewers may find the second half less compelling than the first, the film’s rich symbolism and complex characters make it a powerful cinematic experience.
Adrien Brody delivers a masterful performance as Laszlo, a man navigating rejection and survival while striving to leave his mark in a world that often seems determined to erase him. The film’s visual and narrative depth ensure that it will leave a lasting impression.
For those interested in films that challenge conventional storytelling and offer profound commentary on historical and societal issues, The Brutalist is a must-see.
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