Thanks Carissa! So another one bites the dust, eh? That’s a shame but given Pearce’s villain character it’s almost fitting.
Blasphemy! My dad will never use Google translate as long as dictionaries are printed even if they are lead weights. Same for Google maps. I have a whole other story about a trip we took him with once where he refused to believe Google maps was steering us correctly. We had to stop on the way for a printed regional map of the northeast.
I loved this, Beth. Especially reading about your Hungarian roots. I was thinking of avoiding this film (because honestly, it's too long, and has a depressing topic) but you might have persuaded me to watch it.
Thank you Sara! This makes me very happy (see how did I that - with your Substack title!) Glad it moved you and happy to pay back the gift you continually pay forward with your recommendations. It is depressing and long but also hopeful and honest. Hope those elements balance it out. Happy to share the omelet recipe if all else fails! Nourishment and food make it all better
A fascinating essay and review. I especially love the comments (paraphrasing here) about the lasting effect of life's experiences and the miracles it takes to get us to our destination. Those miracles include connecting with talented writers who respectfully enable and encourage us to think about things from different perspectives.
Thank you for this. It’s perfectly stated. I’d also add it’s about connecting with respectful and open readers who are empathetic, engaging in thoughtful conversation and see us. Yelling into a void doesn’t achieve fulfillment. It’s finding company that moves us and challenges us in all the best ways😘
What an amazingly thorough review! I also could have done without the rape scene. It was brutal enough (no pun intended.) I read some of the critiques by those in the architecture world but also, believe like you, that the brutalist description refers to multiple parts of this film, not just the structures.
The reviews I read about the film were pretty critical and dismissive of the lack of authenticity in brutalist architecture depiction but to me the term was used broadly to your point - in the abuse faced by survivors and the trauma they endured that was entirely dehumanizing, the adaptation to a new and somewhat harsh environment in a new country and being attuned to the parasitic predatory people out to prey on them
Thanks for sharing this review Beth, appreciated the personal insight in your excellent and well researched discussion of the film. I agree so much with the line where you said "I think context is everything, when it comes to our viewing experience and the mark it leaves."
This film especially feels like people were having a hard time making sense of it - made me curious if personal experience would skew my thinking. I do think maybe some sort of orientating statement ahead of the film to explain context might have helped perhaps.
Such a powerful review. And thank you for sharing about your Hungarian roots. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of familiarity in a film. The scene where she defends her husband was one of my favourites.
Thanks, Ingrid! And yes that scene was magnificent. After the fact I find myself appreciating the dialogue which was so well done and moving - the screenplay. Must be why it won a BAFTA for best screenplay!
Your the second person I've heard from that enjoyed this film at least in some part based on connecting with the character/story on screen. I wish it was a bit more universal, but can see the appeal in certain aspects.
It's a hard watch, no matter what. I can't imagine being as taken with it if I wasn't as personally connected. It was long, yes, but I also felt like a different episodic medium wouldn't have served it either.
Wonderful review. A great prep before watching this movie.
No longer a Guy Pearce fan since he too is an anti semite. Sigh. But I love the leading couple.
Does your dad know about Google Translate? 😉
Thanks Carissa! So another one bites the dust, eh? That’s a shame but given Pearce’s villain character it’s almost fitting.
Blasphemy! My dad will never use Google translate as long as dictionaries are printed even if they are lead weights. Same for Google maps. I have a whole other story about a trip we took him with once where he refused to believe Google maps was steering us correctly. We had to stop on the way for a printed regional map of the northeast.
And I also loved learning about your family history. I’m hopeful for A Real Pain too.
🤞
I loved this, Beth. Especially reading about your Hungarian roots. I was thinking of avoiding this film (because honestly, it's too long, and has a depressing topic) but you might have persuaded me to watch it.
Thank you Sara! This makes me very happy (see how did I that - with your Substack title!) Glad it moved you and happy to pay back the gift you continually pay forward with your recommendations. It is depressing and long but also hopeful and honest. Hope those elements balance it out. Happy to share the omelet recipe if all else fails! Nourishment and food make it all better
Your review has convinced me to see this film, which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.
Thx, Lia. That’s a big compliment. Curious what you’ll think of this! Look forward to reading/hearing about it.
A fascinating essay and review. I especially love the comments (paraphrasing here) about the lasting effect of life's experiences and the miracles it takes to get us to our destination. Those miracles include connecting with talented writers who respectfully enable and encourage us to think about things from different perspectives.
Thank you for this. It’s perfectly stated. I’d also add it’s about connecting with respectful and open readers who are empathetic, engaging in thoughtful conversation and see us. Yelling into a void doesn’t achieve fulfillment. It’s finding company that moves us and challenges us in all the best ways😘
🥰
Great to read your personal connections to this film!
Thanks Dan!
What an amazingly thorough review! I also could have done without the rape scene. It was brutal enough (no pun intended.) I read some of the critiques by those in the architecture world but also, believe like you, that the brutalist description refers to multiple parts of this film, not just the structures.
Thanks Leah!
The reviews I read about the film were pretty critical and dismissive of the lack of authenticity in brutalist architecture depiction but to me the term was used broadly to your point - in the abuse faced by survivors and the trauma they endured that was entirely dehumanizing, the adaptation to a new and somewhat harsh environment in a new country and being attuned to the parasitic predatory people out to prey on them
I can see that
Terrific review! I liked that you brought your family history into it, too--that's very interesting.
Thank you Rebecca!
Thanks for sharing this review Beth, appreciated the personal insight in your excellent and well researched discussion of the film. I agree so much with the line where you said "I think context is everything, when it comes to our viewing experience and the mark it leaves."
Thx Matthew!
Appreciate your feedback always.
This film especially feels like people were having a hard time making sense of it - made me curious if personal experience would skew my thinking. I do think maybe some sort of orientating statement ahead of the film to explain context might have helped perhaps.
Such a powerful review. And thank you for sharing about your Hungarian roots. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of familiarity in a film. The scene where she defends her husband was one of my favourites.
Thanks, Ingrid! And yes that scene was magnificent. After the fact I find myself appreciating the dialogue which was so well done and moving - the screenplay. Must be why it won a BAFTA for best screenplay!
I’ve never heard of this film! Shows you (again) what I know. Sounds like I need to watch it ASAP.
It's the sleeper film that's sweeping the awards and has high momentum going into the Oscars.
I love this. Thank you.
Thank you and THANK YOU.
Your piece provoked me to look at this in all the right ways. As did Maria!
(Isaach de Bankolé is a favorite of mine - from his appearance in "Le Chocolat," which I first enjoyed as a college French film geek :)
https://filmguy78.substack.com/p/the-brutalist-is-a-terrible-movie
Your the second person I've heard from that enjoyed this film at least in some part based on connecting with the character/story on screen. I wish it was a bit more universal, but can see the appeal in certain aspects.
It's a hard watch, no matter what. I can't imagine being as taken with it if I wasn't as personally connected. It was long, yes, but I also felt like a different episodic medium wouldn't have served it either.
So true. I felt like it wanted so badly to be this year's Oppenheimer.