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- ‘The Brutalist’ Explores the Dark Side of the American Dream
- What Happens to Van Buren in ‘The Brutalist”?
- What Does the Epilogue to ‘The Brutalist’ Suggest?
As a film enthusiast who has seen more than my fair share of movies about immigrants and artists, I must say that “The Brutalist” stands out as a unique and thought-provoking piece. The story of László, an immigrant architect who struggles to find his place in America while building a community center reminiscent of concentration camps, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
🚨Warning: Contains spoilers for Brad Corbet’s movie The Brutalist from 2024! This highly anticipated film truly delivers on its promise – The Brutalist is an exceptionally bold, captivating masterpiece that gives off a vintage 1970s vibe. It’s quite possible that it will be the standout movie of the year, and it appears destined for Oscar consideration.
Duration-wise, the movie spans approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes (with a short break), making it an extensive production. Yet, it manages to feel only half as long. The opening segment alone showcases some of the most thrilling cinematic work from recent years, presenting a gripping tale of immigration while offering a raw, unfiltered perspective on the illusory nature of the American Dream. However, the second part of the movie takes a much grimmer turn and veers into less predictable territories. Consequently, we’re diving into the finale of The Brutalist, attempting to decipher its deeper meanings.
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‘The Brutalist’ Explores the Dark Side of the American Dream
In a traditional “rise and fall” pattern, the two-part structure of “The Brutalist” unfolds. The initial segment, named “The Enigma of Arrival,” chronicles several years in the life of Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth (Adrien Brody), who immigrates to America following his survival of the Holocaust. Initially struggling to find employment and encountering persistent prejudice, pressure to conform to American culture, and repeated setbacks, László eventually encounters a life-changing opportunity from influential industrialist Harrison Van Buren (Guy Pearce).
As a movie reviewer, I found myself captivated by the plot twist where the character I’m reviewing is tasked with constructing an impressive community center, boasting a library, theater, and chapel, all in memory of his deceased mother. In return, he is promised assistance in securing safe passage for his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) and niece Zsófia into the country.
Initially, László’s expensive design proposals for the center were rejected, leading to its termination altogether. However, this decision was temporary as László and Van Buren later traveled to Carrara to procure marble for a mantelpiece in the chapel. Regrettably, this journey marked a turning point in their relationship. Following a party the night before their return, Van Buren took advantage of László, who was heavily intoxicated at the time, raping him in the quarry. This heinous act saw Van Buren berating Lászlo for being an easy target and a drain on society, emphasizing his dominance in their business relationship.
The story of “The Brutalist” can be seen as a portrayal of the American Dream, yet this particular scene reveals a disheartening truth – despite America’s self-proclaimed status as a land of opportunity for immigrants, those in power have frequently taken advantage of their labor to increase their own wealth.
What Happens to Van Buren in ‘The Brutalist”?
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I find myself helplessly watching the story of Erzsébet unfold, a tale that seems to spiral only towards despair. With her medical supplies depleted, she’s left grappling with her illness and its relentless pain.
In the movie, Zsófia made a choice to settle in Jerusalem, which was recently founded as the State of Israel. She did this because she felt it would offer safety for Jewish people like herself. Although the wider political repercussions of Israel’s creation aren’t explored, they are not crucial to Corbet’s central idea – that Erzsébet struggles to adapt to American society. Meanwhile, László, who embodies America’s “keep moving forward” spirit, consents to her departure, intending to press on and find his own path in life.
Prior to her departure, she boldly confronts Van Buren at his residence, revealing him as a rapist in the presence of his children and associates. In response, Joe Alwyn, his son, viciously assaults Erzsébet. As the uproar subsides, it becomes apparent that Van Buren has disappeared. Despite an extensive search throughout the mansion and the nearly-completed chapel, no one can locate him or any of his guards.
Consequently, Corbet leaves the audience to draw their own interpretations regarding Van Buren’s fate. While it appears that he took his life within the chapel due to the fear of Elizabeth’s accusation tarnishing his family name permanently, another plausible explanation is that he vanished without a trace and set off for new horizons. Considering Corbet represents the darkest aspects of capitalism, it would not be surprising if he managed to relocate and rebuild his power, even without László to exploit.
What Does the Epilogue to ‘The Brutalist’ Suggest?
As I sat there, the credits hadn’t rolled yet. In an unexpected leap through time, the final act unfolded in Venice, 1980. There, a now-elderly László was seen at an exhibition about his life and accomplishments. His granddaughter, Zsófia, took the stage to speak. She shared heartbreaking news that Erzsébet had passed away soon after the main storyline concluded. However, she also highlighted that Lászlo’s career flourished in America afterward.
This new information sheds a fresh perspective on László’s earlier perfectionism – it appears he viewed constructing the center as a means to recognize the trauma inflicted during the Holocaust and to create something that would pay tribute to the emotional devastation he endured. Moreover, this insight implies that despite the initial difficulties, László managed to establish himself in America without feeling compelled to conform or relinquish his cultural identity. As Zsófia expresses in her speech, “regardless of what others may persuade you, it is the destination, not the journey.
It also suggests another fascinating dimension to the film — that Brady Corbet is drawing a distinct parallel between the artistic experience and the immigrant experience. Much like László himself, his work is misunderstood by everyone around him; Van Buren only wishes to own it without understanding the personal qualities that actually shaped it. And just as László eventually managed to find his own way in America, his architecture endures outside the tides of history, and eventually comes to be understood by the world. And, much like the best artists, even if László had to face the threat of compromise, or make personal sacrifices to achieve his vision, in the end, for him at least, it was all about the destination. The Brutalist opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 20, before expanding nationwide in January.
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2024-12-20 18:01