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The Brutalist is a historical drama about a Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and escapes to Philadelphia to live with his cousin. He soon finds himself working for a wealthy family, which leads him on a path of struggles in his pursuit of creating bold, modern building designs.

This film is a monumental experience that deserves to be seen in theaters. Even with its lengthy runtime and intermission in the middle, the incredible editing and pacing make it seem much shorter. While the film does start to feel a little long by the end, it doesn’t feel anywhere near 3.5 hours. The acting is also excellent, and Adrien Brody is especially compelling in his performance. The greatest aspect of this film, however, is its phenomenal cinematography. Virtually every shot is composed perfectly, and they contribute to enhancing the formal elements of the film’s architectural designs. Although architecture plays an important role in the film, the narrative primarily focuses on the protagonist’s Jewish heritage and how that impacts his life in America, as well as the class differences between him and his wealthy employers. The film starts to lose itself a little as it nears the end by shifting its focus more towards family and substance abuse, but it still manages to tie back to the overall themes that are present throughout the story.

I recommend The Brutalist for anyone interested in an epic historical drama that highlights the struggles of working class immigrants in America through the perspective of an architect. While the runtime can be a big commitment for general audiences, it’s definitely worth it for those who are interested in fully experiencing this grand and ambitious story.

The Brutalist is now playing in theaters. Click here to watch the Official Trailer.

– Review by Will Hopper

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