Brady Corbet’s historical drama, The Brutalist, left a lasting impression at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday, receiving a 12-minute standing ovation, per variety.com. The film, starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, captivated the audience with its powerful portrayal of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor’s struggle to rebuild his life and career in post-war America.
Adrien Brody, who leads the film as László Tóth, was visibly moved by the overwhelming reception. As applause echoed through the hall, Brody, emotional and teary-eyed, repeatedly attempted to shift the attention to his director and co-stars, but the audience’s admiration remained focused on him. The ovation continued until security gently ushered the crowd out of the venue.
Clocking in at three and a half hours, *The Brutalist* is an epic narrative that spans nearly four decades of Tóth’s life. The story follows Tóth’s journey to the U.S., where he begins working for a wealthy but volatile man who dreams of constructing a groundbreaking community center. The film also explores Tóth’s personal life, including his reunion with his ailing wife, played by Felicity Jones, and the challenges they face as they strive to realize their architectural vision. A pivotal event disrupts their lives, adding layers of tension and drama to the story.
Corbet, who co-wrote the film with his wife, Mona Fastvold, dismissed concerns about the film’s lengthy runtime during a press conference. He likened such critiques to criticizing a book for its number of pages, emphasizing that *The Brutalist* defies conventional filmmaking norms.
This marks Corbet’s third appearance at Venice, where his previous films The Childhood of a Leader and Vox Lux also received critical acclaim.
The Brutalist is now a strong contender for the festival’s top honour, the Golden Lion.
- Featured image; Adrien Brody attends the “The Brutalist” red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
