When a movie wins every award possible, does that entitle it to your three and a half hours? The Brutalist is the kind of film that arrives wearing its laurels – Oscar buzz, Academy praise, critical worship.
Directed by Brady Corbet, it stars a protagonist who doesn’t just act – He breathes, bleeds, and builds on screen. And yet, somewhere between the dusty landscapes of post-war America and the architectural ambitions of its fictional hero, the film forgets to connect. It wants to be The Great Modern Epic. But does it land?
Where to Watch:
Still showing in select theaters internationally and expected to hit major streaming platforms soon, likely HBO or MUBI, given its tone and style. Already a hot pick in the awards circuit. It’s streaming on Prime Video.
What’s award-worthy?
Possessing Acting:
The lead does not act; He is living that character. he becomes László Tóth; He Breathes László Tóth. Every twitch, pause, and stare feels occupied. It’s intense. Worthy of awards? Most definitely.
The Female Lead? A Breeze:
She’s adorable, and not just for ornamentation; her soft side serves as the emotional assistant in a movie of serrated edges. (Grab your tissues for the climax, Though)
Crafted As A Good Piece:
Really beautiful cinematography. It is filmed as a series of museum exhibits. You will want to freeze scenes and take in the visual composition. It’s Dark, Raw, and Gritty.
Chaos Preferring Realism:
Unlike other epics that just throw drama and despair at you, this one trusts silence, space, and slow burns. Sometimes that restraint is the tension.
Things that fell flat
It Peaks Early, Then Wanders:
The first half grounds itself, layers it, and credibly believes it. But as soon as we get to Italy – Baam identity crisis grips the movie. It shifts tone, changing it up and never quite managing to recover.
20 Years? Who’s She
The huge leap in time skips the most interesting evolution in America’s narrative; in a movie very much into architecture, it sure forgets to build some key arcs in the story. We just don’t know what happened over the past 20 years! Like what?
Overly Feigning Greatness
You can feel it trying to become “Important Cinema.” At times, it dares to not call it a masterpiece. That pressure shows. Too Long, Too Safe: Not just the length, it has really lost out on a lot of misses. Given such a rich story, why play it so emotionally muted in the second half?
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Worth Watching?
If you are into layered performances, careful visuals, and biopic fiction, you will love this. But it isn’t for the restless. This is a once-in-a-year film; just go in with patience, not popcorn.
Click or Skip?
Click – But only if you’re ready to watch, not escape. It’s demanding, slow-burning, and slightly indulgent. This could have been a great modern-day classic, but it settles somewhere in the middle. The Brutalist is like an intricately plated gourmet dish – exquisite to look at, first bite promising, but halfway through, you are just chewing politely while waiting for dessert.
RATINGS – 6 / 10 ⭐
Written By MANSI SINGH