This sounds almost too good to be true, but Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” is happening and has, apparently, actually started production.
Cinematographer Lol Crawley's agency is reporting that production finally moved forward to a shoot last Thursday. I was sure this one was dead, but it’s alive!
The Brutalist was supposed to star Vanessa Kirby, Sebastian Stan, Mark Rylance, Marion Cotillard. I presume the cast has remained intact after all these delays. The plot synopsis couldn’t have changed either, right?
A visionary architect and his wife flee post-war Europe to rebuild their legacy and witness the birth of modern America. However, their lives are changed forever by a mysterious and wealthy client.
The film was announced back in September of 2020 and ever since then it’s been total radio silence, until today.
“Amidst a revamped cycle of populism and prejudice in the 21st Century, ‘The Brutalist’ is a film which celebrates the triumphs of the most daring and accomplished visionaries; our ancestors,” said Corbet, describing the film. “It is the project which is so far the closest to my heart and family history. I so look forward to reuniting with many of our closest collaborators, as well as some exciting new ones, to realize what we all anticipate to be a vital and urgent motion picture.”
Corbet has directed two films, including 2018’s “Vox Lux,” which caused a real stir at Venice — very strong first half, but ambitiously missed second half was my verdict. It still showcased an immensely talented filmmaker who had already shown great promise with his first film, 2015’s “The Childhood of A Leader.”
Is it too ambitious to think that “The Brutalist” will get released this year? Production is supposed to wrap late April/early May. If Corbet plays it fast, he could even return to Venice in September.
I wouldn't call this film great — it stops short of that because of how neatly it resolves itself — but I'll give Rock his due here: this is much better than his previous directorial effort, "Top Five."