Brady Corbet’s Hidden Gem: A Must-Watch Before ‘The Brutalist’

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  • Corbet Continues His Sensational Hollywood Takeover With ‘The Brutalist’

Over time, Brady Corbet has been recognized as one of cinema’s most creative and invigorating directors, leaving moviegoers worldwide spellbound by his intense, critically praised epic period film, “The Brutalist.” Prior to receiving the Best Director Golden Globe and seeing his film contend for a record-breaking 10 Academy Awards, Corbet first stepped into the director’s chair in 2015 with the haunting historical drama titled “The Childhood of a Leader.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but delve into the hauntingly powerful movie, “The Childhood of a Leader.” In this unnerving cinematic experience, director Brady Corbet paints a gripping portrait of a future autocrat’s formative years following World War I. Raised by his diplomat father from America and mother in the French countryside, the young protagonist starts displaying aggressive and unsettling behaviors that hint at a dark destiny. Upon its release, “The Childhood of a Leader” was lauded for Corbet’s distinctive vision and unquestionable storytelling prowess, setting the stage for the critical acclaim he would garner later with “The Brutalist.” Let’s explore this chilling masterpiece in more detail.

Brady Corbet’s Ominous and Unsettling Historical Drama

Following his success in popular Hollywood films such as “Funny Games” and “Melancholia”, Brady Corbet decided to demonstrate his exceptional talent as a director by creating “The Childhood of a Leader”, released in 2015. This historical drama is an adaption of the Jean-Paul Sartre short story, portraying the childhood of a future fascist leader during the immediate aftermath of World War I. The suspenseful narrative unfolds on the French countryside in 1919, where young boy Prescott (Tom Sweet) is visiting his German mother and American diplomat father, who was there to assist in the Treaty of Versailles negotiations.

In a defiant and independent streak, young Prescott often clashes with his parents. Immersed in their separate spheres, his father, Liam Cunningham, is engrossed in politics, while his mother, Bérénice Bejo, manages the household efficiently. As they strive to correct Prescott’s combative behavior, he resists and becomes progressively more confrontational, fostering a growing animosity towards those around him. A chilling metamorphosis into a potential future authoritarian leader subtly emerges within him, marking a disturbing turn of events.

10 years prior to the creation of the disturbing drama, Corbet initially drafted a screenplay for what would later be known as “The Childhood of a Leader“. However, he chose to abandon it due to concerns that it was too ambitious for his first film. It wasn’t until his partner Mona Fastvold motivated him to continue working on the script that he resumed the project. Corbet drew inspiration for the film from the childhood experiences of several 20th-century dictators (without focusing on any one individual in particular), aiming to create a chilling coming-of-age story that subtly hinted at Prescott’s future role as a tyrannical leader. In an interview with IndieWire in 2014, the gifted filmmaker shared this insight.

The story revolves around the emergence of an individual with a grandiose, egotistical nature in the early 1900s. This is also a portrayal of the rise of fascism, which took place as the Treaty of Versailles was being signed.

The film titled “The Childhood of a Leader” made its grand debut at the Venice International Film Festival and received widespread praise for its emotional narrative, gripping acting, and Corbet’s exceptional direction and scriptwriting. The intense drama went on to win Best Director and Best Film Debut at the esteemed event. Currently, it boasts a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes and played a significant role in launching Corbet’s burgeoning career. In their review, The Guardian lauded both Corbet and the eerie movie, stating: “It might seem bold for a newcomer to release a film with such a title, but Corbet has proven himself worthy of his precociousness. What an impressive debut.”

Corbet Continues His Sensational Hollywood Takeover With ‘The Brutalist’

Since my mind-blowing directorial debut, I, Brady Corbet, ventured into co-writing and directing the musical drama “Vox Lux” in 2018, starring Natalie Portman and Jude Law. Later in 2024, I achieved even greater prominence with the awe-inspiring epic period drama “The Brutalist.” Adrien Brody’s performance was nothing short of a masterclass as László Tóth, a Holocaust survivor and Hungarian-Jewish architect who immigrated to the United States in pursuit of the American dream, having been separated from his wife when they were sent to different concentration camps.

In the end, László finds himself back with his cherished Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) and niece. An extraordinary chance presents itself when the wealthy yet unpredictable industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce) asks him to display his talents and collaborate on a fresh project. This partnership, filled with turmoil, will indelibly alter Lászlo’s personal and professional world as portrayed in “The Brutalist.” The film, starring Brody, was highly acclaimed by both critics and viewers for its outstanding performance, gripping script, deep examination of the immigrant experience, and a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film titled “The Brutalist” not only received the Silver Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and three Golden Globes, but it was also nominated for a remarkable 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. The American Film Institute even ranked it among the top 10 films of the year. Brady Corbet’s exceptional directing and nuanced approach to a delicate theme have left a lasting impression on his fellow filmmakers, critics, and audiences, as ABC News hailed it as an “immersive masterpiece” that is “a powerful, uncompromising cinematic experience expertly crafted by Corbet.” So, if you haven’t seen it yet, consider watching The Brutalist on Prime Video. >movie popcorn

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2025-02-24 00:02