The Brutalist’s Director Reveals Why He ‘Needed’ An Intermission In His Epic 3.5 Hour A24 Film, And His Reason Makes Perfect Sense

by

As a cinephile with over two decades of movie-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that Brady Corbet’s masterpiece, “The Brutalist,” is an unparalleled cinematic experience that should not be missed. The film’s epic runtime and intermission have been the subject of much debate, but as someone who has endured marathon viewing sessions of limited series and lengthy films alike, I wholeheartedly appreciate the 15-minute reprieve offered by this three-and-a-half-hour drama.

Recently, Brady Corbet’s dramatic masterpiece, “The Brutalist,” featuring Adrien Brody as a Hungarian architect rebuilding his life in post-WWII America, has been the focus of discussions within the cinematic sphere. While many critics are still extolling the virtues of this upcoming A24 production, others can’t help but debate its lengthy three-and-a-half-hour duration and its inclusion of an intermission. Even the director himself, who is also an actor, has commented on it, and I find myself in agreement with his perspective.

At the 2024 Gotham Awards’ red carpet in December 2024, Corbet provided additional details to IndieWire regarding the fifteen-minute intermission that divides his recent directorial work into two segments. He emphasized that this division was a creative choice and not a studio requirement.

The pause, or intermission, was always planned out. Interestingly, it’s attracted more focus than we anticipated. Personally, I find it challenging to remain seated for such an extended period, which is why I found it necessary. Moreover, it was a choice made for public consumption.

It’s quite understandable that Corbet, known for films like “The Childhood of a Leader” and “Vox Lux”, felt the need for an intermission during “The Brutalist”. I myself had the chance to watch it in November, and although I won’t delve into specifics, the 15-minute pause around the 90-minute mark was beneficial. It gave me a chance to stretch my legs and freshen up before diving back into the movie.

Following the intense viewing experience of Martin Scorsese’s 2023 biographical crime epic, “Killers of the Flower Moon”, with its extended running time, I was eager for a brief respite halfway through. However, unlike “Killers” which made headlines upon release due to some unauthorized intermissions in certain theaters, as reported by Variety, directors Corbet and Mona Fastvold intentionally planned to divide the runtime of their film, “The Brutalist”.

Absolutely! We’ve always planned for a midpoint pause in the storyline. It’s similar to how viewers spend extended periods watching limited series, taking brief pauses every now and then. If you think about it, this movie is like a binge-watching experience with an intermission break. So, don’t worry or feel apprehensive about the intermission, it’s just part of the viewing experience.

All this talk of an intermission shouldn’t distract you from the brilliance and greatness of The Brutalist, which features Oscar-worthy performances from frequent Wes Anderson collaborator Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, as well as a remarkable story and some of the best cinematography I’ve seen all year.

Over almost four decades, I’ve found myself captivated by the journey of László Tóth, portrayed by Brody, who happens to be a Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor. He embarks on a new life in America and crosses paths with Harrison Lee Van Buren, played by Pearce, a prosperous industrialist. Together, they envision and construct an unprecedented community center that leaves a lasting impact. Brady Corbet’s historical drama is brimming with compelling narratives and profound themes, making it a truly remarkable cinematic achievement from my perspective.

The movie, titled “The Brutalist“, not only excels but stands as a pinnacle in cinematography. Filmed using the VistaVision system and cameras, it showcases vast panoramas of the beautiful eastern Pennsylvanian countryside reminiscent of timeless classics such as “Lawrence of Arabia“, “Once Upon a Time in the West“, and more recently “There Will Be Blood“. On a reported budget of $10 million, this visually stunning film is truly awe-inspiring.

The movie titled “The Brutalist” will be released in theaters on December 20th, marking its final appearance in this year’s cinematic lineup. However, keep an ear out for further news about this film as the buzz surrounding awards season starts to intensify over the upcoming weeks and months.

Read More

2024-12-09 02:37