Parents' Guide to The Brutalist

A massive work of hubris, a sprawling biographical story of a larger-than-life character, and a towering showcase of design, this admirable (if not lovable) drama requires patience. Directed by Brady Corbet, who began acting as a teen (in Thirteen) and who directed the equally challenging Vox Lux, The Brutalist is big, but it was made on a shockingly small budget. It's hard not to be impressed by its scope and by how many moving parts it has. Its period design is endlessly impressive, even if viewers know little to nothing about the art of architecture. (To pay homage to its 1950s setting, it was shot on film and in VistaVision, a process that turned the film frames sideways to use more space; it also yields a clearer depth of field.)

Unsurprisingly, the performances are also immense, with Brody going to the ends of the earth and back to perfect his accent, mannerisms, and frenetic obsession. And the movie's most overarching theme is unexpectedly simple and profound: creating art to manage and memorialize trauma. The Brutalist is the type of movie that impresses, as many similar, lofty, large-scale movies have done throughout history (Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, The Leopard, There Will Be Blood, Oppenheimer, etc.), and this makes it easy to forgive its flaws. The story can feel padded, and certain aspects feel short-changed, as if not given enough detail or closure. And, despite a 15-minute intermission, the three-and-a-half-hour run time is a big ask for audiences. But its ambition, inventiveness, and forcefulness make The Brutalist a movie worth talking about.