Excellent review, even if I strongly disagree about the ending/epilogue. You do a fantastic job of articulating the filmmaking choices, the context of this film's production, and its place in cinema history and current discourse. This is a level of writing largely missing in the film analysis corner of RUclips. Subscribed!
Subscribing, based on this thoughtful masterpiece of a review. Thank you for your insights. I loved this movie too, for all the reasons. Signed, the daughter of immigrants.
You’ve made an incredible assessment of the film. I don’t think there’s a film this year that holds a candle to what Brady and this entire production created. It’s superb
That's also how I feel about the ending. I feel like I have to work so hard to construct a meaning, and the thing I construct is not the conclusion I *want* to come to, and maybe that's the point? But then...it feels tragic in an almost villainous way. Which. Yeah. Maybe?
It’s definitely a film that I had to sit and process for a while. Once I saw it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I haven’t had a feeling for a film like this since Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood. Both movies I didn’t necessarily enjoy the first time I saw it. I gave five stars to both films after I saw them each for a second time. The first time I saw the Brutalist, I liked the first half more. I actually enjoyed the second half of the Brutalist more than the first when I watched it for the second time. I found the second half more eventful, and I was also able to sit and process the hardships in Laszlo’s life during my second watch. Definitely a film that truly shouldn’t even be discussed until you watch it for a second time. I’m not criticizing. This is a great video. Please keep doing the reviews. Much appreciated.
That "path" The Brutalist took in the second half is divisive (and I don't mean the epilogue). It may have compromised the movie for many. However, the way it was presented was masterful and made absolute sense in the totality of the story's theme, spirit and intentions. Could that pivotal incident remain unexplored? I would argue yes but it's inclusion proves that Corbet is an uncompromisingly bold, ambitious cinematic visionary. This epic asks tough questions; what it is to be American, a Capitalist, an artist, a man. Today's audience's biggest fear is to be bored. The Brutalist's biggest achievement (despite it's length) is that we remain engaged - even after the last reel.
You deserve a lot more subs. Feels special being this early on a great channel hehe. Also I loved this movie so much, went out and saw it standard,70mm, and as of yesterday IMAX. Every time it flies by and gets all the same emotions out of me. I am enamored with it. That being said not knowing how I feel about the ending is a thought that haunts me. After multiple viewings the disappointment lessens but the hope and dreams of developing Laszlos story more remain. Conflicted.
After seeing this movie I regretted wasting four hours of my life. Many of the audience left during the screening. But my biggest gripe is the disservice it did the profession of architecture. Obviously there was not an architect consulted as it implied that buildings are created with a few strokes of a charcoal stick? A building proposed of the scale suggested in the movie would require a team of architects to document it and numerous consultants as well as various authorities and utility suppliers .They would produce a huge number of documents and drawings. As for the model presented it was so crude and lacked context. The ending showed his supposed works at a tribute in Venice. Each example was mediocre in the extreme. Seeing shots of Venice was a welcome relief. The narrative as also trite and pretentious. The most interest was the title graphics which at least seem to have been inspired by the title blocks on architectural drawings.
With all due respect, you've completely missed the mark. This is not some sort of documentary film about architecture, building design, and construction. That you can't see beyond the lens of your own area of interest or expertise is a glaring limitation of your ability to process artistic themes. This film is about many things, and the actual construction of buildings is not one of them. Perhaps you should be asking yourself questions about its portrayal of immigration, trauma, faith, family, xenophobia, antisemitism, the American Dream, exploitation, and the ways by which art is mediated by capital (the relevant constraints of capital, materials, and labor are the closest this movie gets to actually being about what you want it to be about).
I just followed you on Letterboxd. You can read my review of the Brutalist there if you follow back (my name there, as here, starts with Lorcan). I saw the film at Venice. There were still responses posted prior to me seeing it, but they were very varied. Seeing it early and writing up my thoughts on it exhaustively within a couple of days was a way to avoid too much self-consciousness about what to think of the film. I would say that Corbet already rehearsed the effect of The Brutalist’s climax followed by epilogue in The Childhood of a Leader. First hearing of that film, I also heard a bit of outrage at Corbet’s gall to be so pretentious specifically with his ending. So I wasn’t throwing up my hands at the end of The Brutalist. I write in my review about the second half of The Brutalist getting messy, but I don’t share the simple ‘first half amazing, second half a real downgrade’ view. Felicity Jones is a great addition to the film. Guy Pearce I think is kind of bad throughout, also therefore affecting the first half a lot. But there’s nothing too surprising in the portrayal of the family’s New York life in the second half, yet for example, there’s a long tracking shot to a “reveal” of Toth at his drawing board as an employee architect; that’s predictable, the overdose etc.: that’s what I mean by messy.
The end is the joke. The immigrant experience in the US is a losing game. It’s a comical ending because it’s honest. Everyone expected a resolution. There’s no result because capitalism and war are never in the immigrants favor. It’s only when their tragedy becomes beneficial to Americans. It’s so obvious from the Statue of Liberty because it’s not an American work of art. It was a gift and ironically a symbol of a dream. A country made from everyone but has no history without corruption and gain . Bravo
It’s a beautiful film with a lot of important things to say about Jewish identity in 2024 and the importance of a place like Israel to the Jewish community but I felt like it was one sided about the Israel - Palestine dynamic and I disagree with the assertion the film makes because displacement and erasure of Palestinians is not justified by the fact that Jews face marginalization in the USA.
Paul Thomas Anderson is the one that doesn’t deserve to be placed next to this film. The Brutalist is everything Anderson wished he could make. Corbet , unlike Anderson is not a poseur.
Brutalist architecture is not only ugly, depressing, and low vibe, but many city/state government employee this architecture which speaks volumes. I'll be watching the film of course.....
Yes, Brody is beyond brilliant.
Excellent review, even if I strongly disagree about the ending/epilogue. You do a fantastic job of articulating the filmmaking choices, the context of this film's production, and its place in cinema history and current discourse. This is a level of writing largely missing in the film analysis corner of RUclips. Subscribed!
Subscribing, based on this thoughtful masterpiece of a review. Thank you for your insights. I loved this movie too, for all the reasons. Signed, the daughter of immigrants.
You’ve made an incredible assessment of the film. I don’t think there’s a film this year that holds a candle to what Brady and this entire production created. It’s superb
That's also how I feel about the ending. I feel like I have to work so hard to construct a meaning, and the thing I construct is not the conclusion I *want* to come to, and maybe that's the point? But then...it feels tragic in an almost villainous way. Which. Yeah. Maybe?
Wow! Great analysis! Please keep going. Your channel will catch fire!
Thank you so much for watching and enjoying! It's a new channel and I have high hopes for its future thanks to people like you!
It's a Drama that slaps you on your face I think every human being no matter if is immigrant or not can break in tears watching this movie
I find this movie very intellectually stimulating 😊
It’s definitely a film that I had to sit and process for a while. Once I saw it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I haven’t had a feeling for a film like this since Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood. Both movies I didn’t necessarily enjoy the first time I saw it. I gave five stars to both films after I saw them each for a second time. The first time I saw the Brutalist, I liked the first half more. I actually enjoyed the second half of the Brutalist more than the first when I watched it for the second time. I found the second half more eventful, and I was also able to sit and process the hardships in Laszlo’s life during my second watch. Definitely a film that truly shouldn’t even be discussed until you watch it for a second time. I’m not criticizing. This is a great video. Please keep doing the reviews. Much appreciated.
Your explanation of the ending is absolutely spot on
That "path" The Brutalist took in the second half is divisive (and I don't mean the epilogue). It may have compromised the movie for many. However, the way it was presented was masterful and made absolute sense in the totality of the story's theme, spirit and intentions. Could that pivotal incident remain unexplored? I would argue yes but it's inclusion proves that Corbet is an uncompromisingly bold, ambitious cinematic visionary. This epic asks tough questions; what it is to be American, a Capitalist, an artist, a man.
Today's audience's biggest fear is to be bored. The Brutalist's biggest achievement (despite it's length) is that we remain engaged - even after the last reel.
I found some scenes funny. The ending credit choice of music is so unexpective and yet bold. I actually smiled leaving the theater.
Yes! I should have touched on the humor of this film and alluded to that needle drop at the end. it certainly was very bold
It's been 5 days since I saw it, and I still don't know how I feel about it.
You deserve a lot more subs. Feels special being this early on a great channel hehe. Also I loved this movie so much, went out and saw it standard,70mm, and as of yesterday IMAX. Every time it flies by and gets all the same emotions out of me. I am enamored with it. That being said not knowing how I feel about the ending is a thought that haunts me. After multiple viewings the disappointment lessens but the hope and dreams of developing Laszlos story more remain. Conflicted.
Just a parting thought regarding the ending: take a look at Don Draper in the last episode of “Mad Men“.
Loved your review. Saw the Brutalist today. Its genius inspired me.
Better than any film I have ever made but I agree with you 100% about the ending. I give 1.8 thumbs up and 3 Academy Awards.
really great video, eloquent and thoughtful
After seeing this movie I regretted wasting four hours of my life. Many of the audience left during the screening. But my biggest gripe is the disservice it did the profession of architecture. Obviously there was not an architect consulted as it implied that buildings are created with a few strokes of a charcoal stick? A building proposed of the scale suggested in the movie would require a team of architects to document it and numerous consultants as well as various authorities and utility suppliers .They would produce a huge number of documents and drawings. As for the model presented it was so crude and lacked context. The ending showed his supposed works at a tribute in Venice. Each example was mediocre in the extreme. Seeing shots of Venice was a welcome relief. The narrative as also trite and pretentious. The most interest was the title graphics which at least seem to have been inspired by the title blocks on architectural drawings.
With all due respect, you've completely missed the mark. This is not some sort of documentary film about architecture, building design, and construction. That you can't see beyond the lens of your own area of interest or expertise is a glaring limitation of your ability to process artistic themes. This film is about many things, and the actual construction of buildings is not one of them. Perhaps you should be asking yourself questions about its portrayal of immigration, trauma, faith, family, xenophobia, antisemitism, the American Dream, exploitation, and the ways by which art is mediated by capital (the relevant constraints of capital, materials, and labor are the closest this movie gets to actually being about what you want it to be about).
I just followed you on Letterboxd. You can read my review of the Brutalist there if you follow back (my name there, as here, starts with Lorcan). I saw the film at Venice. There were still responses posted prior to me seeing it, but they were very varied. Seeing it early and writing up my thoughts on it exhaustively within a couple of days was a way to avoid too much self-consciousness about what to think of the film.
I would say that Corbet already rehearsed the effect of The Brutalist’s climax followed by epilogue in The Childhood of a Leader. First hearing of that film, I also heard a bit of outrage at Corbet’s gall to be so pretentious specifically with his ending. So I wasn’t throwing up my hands at the end of The Brutalist.
I write in my review about the second half of The Brutalist getting messy, but I don’t share the simple ‘first half amazing, second half a real downgrade’ view. Felicity Jones is a great addition to the film. Guy Pearce I think is kind of bad throughout, also therefore affecting the first half a lot. But there’s nothing too surprising in the portrayal of the family’s New York life in the second half, yet for example, there’s a long tracking shot to a “reveal” of Toth at his drawing board as an employee architect; that’s predictable, the overdose etc.: that’s what I mean by messy.
One of the best movies of the year
The end is the joke. The immigrant experience in the US is a losing game. It’s a comical ending because it’s honest. Everyone expected a resolution. There’s no result because capitalism and war are never in the immigrants favor. It’s only when their tragedy becomes beneficial to Americans.
It’s so obvious from the Statue of Liberty because it’s not an American work of art. It was a gift and ironically a symbol of a dream.
A country made from everyone but has no history without corruption and gain .
Bravo
Great breakdown!
The Bmy Thougts Bon Brutalist…
great discussion :)
good review, who the fuck care about the audience by the way...its an art movie
It’s a beautiful film with a lot of important things to say about Jewish identity in 2024 and the importance of a place like Israel to the Jewish community but I felt like it was one sided about the Israel - Palestine dynamic and I disagree with the assertion the film makes because displacement and erasure of Palestinians is not justified by the fact that Jews face marginalization in the USA.
Paul Thomas Anderson is the one that doesn’t deserve to be placed next to this film. The Brutalist is everything Anderson wished he could make. Corbet , unlike Anderson is not a poseur.
Me:
The Bmy thoughts bon... Bruttalist... Wth is this?
good god, man, this is longwinded and aimless.
Thanks!
Brutalist architecture is not only ugly, depressing, and low vibe, but many city/state government employee this architecture which speaks volumes. I'll be watching the film of course.....