The Brutalist- The Movie and Architectural Style

As an immigrant pursuing the American Dream and a Lover of Modern Architecture  I enjoyed This movie yesterday at our THD Cinema!! The film earned ten nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning for Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Actor for Brody. At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, it won three awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

A resident asked me why the movie was titled, the Brutalist. The answer is described below💚.  

 

"The Brutalist," a film exploring the immigrant experience and the American Dream through the lens of architecture, is a bold and ambitious, but potentially long, cinematic experience that has garnered both praise and criticism for its raw, unflinching style and complex themes. 

Here's a more detailed look at the film and its reception:

• The Premise:

  "The Brutalist" follows László Tóth, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant, as he arrives in America and embarks on a decade-spanning architectural project, grappling with the complexities of the American Dream and the compromises required to achieve success. 
• Style and Tone:

  The film is known for its stark, unadorned style, mirroring the brutalist architectural style it explores.It's a long film, clocking in at over three hours, and is described as a "monumental" and "intimate" epic. 
• Critical Reception:

  • Positive: Critics have praised the film's powerful performances, particularly Adrien Brody's, and its exploration of complex themes. Some have called it a "towering tribute to the immigrant experience" and a "masterclass in acting". 
  • Negative: Others find the film's length and raw style to be off-putting, with some critics suggesting that it loses its way in the second half. Some viewers have found the film to be "confounding" and "unsettling". 
• Is it worth it?

  The answer depends on your personal preferences. If you're drawn to ambitious, visually striking films with complex characters and themes, "The Brutalist" could be a rewarding experience. However, if you prefer a more traditional, polished cinematic experience, you might find the film's length and raw style to be a challenge. 
• Key Themes:

  • The immigrant experience and the pursuit of the American Dream. 
  • The relationship between art and commerce. 
  • The complexities of legacy, power, and racism. 
  • Trauma and its impact on individuals and their creations. 

  I love the concept of the cross design for the Chapel from the sunlight on the roof of the Building in Doyles Town, PA.  The cross design reminded me of the Prayer Room in our beach house in Amoingon, Boac at Chateau Du Mer, Marinduque.  

  

  
  

  For more Reviews visit: the brutalist reviews

  
  

  💚Brutalist architecture is an architectural style that emerged during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist constructions that showcase the bare building materials and structural elements over decorative design. The style commonly makes use of exposed, unpainted concrete or brick, angular geometric shapes and a predominantly monochrome colour palette; other materials, such as steel, timber, and glass, are also featured.

  
  

  
  

  Meanwhile, Did you Know That....

  

  The Kingdom of Ibalon in Bicol ( Philippines) is known through the Ibalong Epic, an ancient tale of warrior-heroes Handiong, Baltog, and Bantong battling giant monsters and invaders. Though partly myth, historians believe Ibalon was a thriving pre-colonial settlement skilled in agriculture, trade, and metallurgy!

  

  The epic describes giant beasts, such as the man-eating Tandayag boar and the venomous serpent Oriol, hinting at real historical threats like wild animals and foreign invaders.

  Handiong was a legendary leader who introduced farming, pottery, and boat-making—key to Ibalon’s prosperity.

  Ancient Bicolanos likely had metalworking skills, using iron weapons to defend their lands!

  
  

  Finally, My Photo of the Day: