As a lifelong cinephile who has witnessed countless performances and films, I can confidently say that Adrien Brody’s transformation into two such profound characters as Władysław Szpilman in “The Pianist” and László Tóth in “The Brutalist,” is nothing short of remarkable. His ability to immerse himself in the hardships and struggles of these characters, separated by decades but united by their resilience and determination, is a testament to his talent as an actor.
It’s astonishing that over 20 years have elapsed since Adrien Brody, who is consistently outstanding, received his Best Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards for “The Pianist.” This film, directed by Roman Polanski, is a masterpiece, and fans of cinema will remember it as the story of Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish musician in Poland during World War II who was also an exceptional pianist. Now, decades later, Brody continues to captivate Hollywood with another leading role, this time portraying László Tóth, a Hungarian refugee seeking a fresh start in the U.S. following World War II. In the extended 215-minute run of “The Brutalist,” László endeavors to leverage his architectural talents to establish himself in America.
MovieWeb’s Will Sayre recently conversed with Brody in Los Angeles about his recent groundbreaking role, a performance that could potentially earn him another Best Lead Actor Oscar, and the historical significance of “The Brutalist”. This film is set in the years following the events depicted in “The Pianist”. In light of these similarities, we asked Brody about viewers drawing comparisons between his two award-winning portrayals. “Anyone is free to find similarities in any work,” Brody replied.
The beauty of art lies in its subjectivity, allowing it to stir particular emotions about pivotal historical events such as World War II or antisemitism, which are tragic losses for humanity. Regrettably, artists and scholars have been targeted and their valuable contributions to our world have been destroyed by hatred and intolerance. This theme is relevant and applicable to both narratives, but they tell distinctly different stories.
Adrien Brody on ‘The Hardships’ of Both Characters
Though the roles played by Brody in those two productions appear significantly distinct, as our chat with Brody suggested, there’s a deeper bond between these monumental characters for the actor, surprisingly bridged over the span of two decades separating the performances. In his own words, “There’s more of a connection between these characters and my acting process than one might initially assume.
In my opinion, delving into Szpilman’s wartime struggles for survival provided a meaningful backdrop that allowed me to depict László more authentically in ‘The Brutalist.’ This research helped me transition from the grim realities of the past, and portray a fresh start, marked by hardships such as poverty, as he attempts to rebuild his life in America. I believe there’s a captivating tale within this journey, even though Szpilman and László are distinct individuals with unique personalities.
In Brody’s words, “[The Brutalist] is essentially a tale of immigration, while[ The Pianist] is undeniably a war film, portraying the gruesome realities of conflict. Despite their differences, they share a connection within me.
As a great admirer of cinematic artistry, I’m eagerly anticipating that the film “The Brutalist,” directed by Brady Corbet and produced by A24, will receive recognition similar to that of the Academy Awards, much like “The Pianist” did in 2003. This remarkable work by Corbet has already garnered significant acclaim with its nominations for the Golden Globes and Critics Choice awards. You have the opportunity to experience this masterpiece firsthand, as “The Brutalist” hits theaters today, December 20, 2025.
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2024-12-20 23:32