“The Brutalist” (2024 Fandango or movie theaters). Adrian Brody deservedly won Best Actor for his role as the tortured architect. That said, (and I know I am in minority in this) after all the accolades and raving (e.g. “…this is what filmmaking should be” types of comments) the film was a disappointment. Yes, there are some incredible feats of cinematography. Yes, the story of Hungarian Jews and the Holocaust, is horrifying and beyond deeply painful. But Brady Corbet made some directorial choices that just didn’t work for me. The film has a nightmare/dreamlike quality that vascillates with conventional narrative. I like that (love Bunuel for example). But in The Brutalist it felt contrived, or to be kind, not well worked out. Some of the plot and the characterizations required a distracting suspension of disbelief. For example, the movie’s protagonist, László Tóth , a survivor of Buchenwald is addicted to heroin to diminish the pain of an injury from the camps. But he’s penniless. The cultured, intellectual side of my brain acknowledges the metaphor and tries to figure it out, but the crasser less literary side of my brain keeps wondering how he can pay for it. Likewise, where is he getting hard drugs in Doylestown, Pennsylvania in the 50’s? And then there’s Corbet’s choice to make major chronological jumps without any lead up, leaving me wondering if I missed an episode. Critics rave about Guy Pearce’s performance as a complex rich guy. Honestly? I thought it was a wooden and performative characterization. (referencing Citizen Kane? Orson Wells where are you when we need you?)) And for those of you who have seen the film, would someone please explain why László wanted to recreate a cell of a concentration camp but with a higher ceiling? I wanted to love The Brutalist, and I hate being a contrarian. Please help me out. Comment with opinions (and explanations). If it weren’t so long and there weren’t so many other shorter and better films to watch, I’d screen it again.
Short Takes:
Thank you, Liz for recommending
“Laapataa Ladies” (2023 Netflix)This is an absolutely delightful, distracting East Indian film that kept a smile on my face throughout. Trust me. You’ll love it.
Thank you Luana and Michael
“Bottoms” (2024 Fandango, Apple) Although I know that many of you will hate this satirical film about two unpopular high school senior girls who start a fight club as a way to hook up with cheerleaders. But it cracked me up. Also it’s a very good distractor with an actually sweet message (as do the teen movies it makes fun of). Ayo Edibiri (The Bear) is lovable and really does look like a teenager. The rest of the cast is great too and includes Marshawn Lynch (former football player/actor) as a history teacher and the club’s advisor.
“Seed of the Sacred Fig” (2024 Fandango) Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof made this Academy Award nominated film in complete secret on location in Iran. As one would expect, it’s deeply disturbing and feels very real. Highly recommend.
“Only Girl in the Orchestra” (2023 Netflix) Take 35 minutes to relax and enjoy this delightful documentary about Orin O’Brien, the first woman to be accepted in the Philharmonic Orchestra. It was 1966
Series:
Finished the three seasons of “The Split” (Kanopy)Sheer soap opera, but so well acted that it’s forgivable.
Recommended by pal Pouke and also on Kanopy “Weissensee Saga”, German series set in the GDR in the 80’s. Both compelling and depressing, it’s starting to feel awfully familiar.
New York Cynic 