The Brutalist (2024)

DVD CASE/ SIDE

* Not yet released on DVD

Length of film: 215 Minutes

Rated: 18

Genre: Drama

Director: Brady Corbet

Starring: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Isaach De Bankolé

IMDB Rank: 7.6 /10 (as of March 2025)

Part 1 Time:  101 Minutes

Part 2 Time:  114 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) narrates her letter to László (Adrien Brody) as a montage of steel manufacturing production is shown.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Erzsébet ends her letter stating, “László does this mean we might meet again soon? Yours Erzsébet”

First line of dialogue on the second part: In 1953, László, Michael Hoffman (Peter Polycarpou) and Michelle Hoffman (Maria Sand) are arriving at a train station. “Right or left?” states Michelle Hoffman.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, László’s life has turned for the better as he has been given a building commission by wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce ). László has also been introduced to an influential lawyer who will be able to expedite the immigration of his wife and niece to America.

Which part is better? Part two of the film is notably better as László deals with the overwhelming pressure of constructing a grand building project for Harrison Lee Van Buren. Here László must not only contest multiple consultants who look to change his design, but also face lewd remarks about his heritage. This overwhelming pressure causes strain in László’s relationship with Erzsébet, making one wonder if such a building project is worth the sacrifices.

Academy Awards: 2025; Best Music Written for Motion Picture (Winner), Best Picture (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Leading Actor (Winner- Adrien Brody), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Felicity Jones), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Guy Pearce), Best Original Screenplay (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Winner), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Production Design (Nominated)

Other Awards: 2025- BAFTA; Best Film (Nominated), Best Director (Winner), Best Original Screenplay (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Winner), Original Score (Winner), Best Production Design, Best Leading Actor (Winner– Adrien Brody), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Felicity Jones), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Guy Pearce); 2025- Golden Globes; Best Motion Picture Drama (Winner), Best Male Motion Picture Drama Actor (Winner- Adrien Brody) Best Motion Picture Supporting Male Actor (Nominated- Guy Pearce), Best Motion Picture Supporting Female Actor (Nominated- Felicity Jones), Best Motion Picture Director (Winner), Best Motion Picture Screenplay (Nominated), Best Original Motion Picture Score (Nominated)