Podcast Summary: The Triumph of ‘The Brutalist,’ With Adrien Brody and Brady Corbet
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Big Picture
- Host/Author: The Ringer
- Description: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins review the movies you need to see. Plus: Top 5s, Movie Drafts, Oscars analysis, and more, featuring a rotating cast of Ringer colleagues like Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons.
- Episode: The Triumph of ‘The Brutalist,’ With Adrien Brody and Brady Corbet
- Release Date: December 31, 2024
Introduction to Episode and Main Topic
The episode kicks off with a brief overview by Sean Fennessey, introducing the central focus on the acclaimed film The Brutalist. Sean hints at engaging conversations with Brady Corbet, the film’s co-writer and director, and Adrien Brody, the film's lead actor. The hosts aim to delve deep into the film’s creation, themes, and performances.
In-Depth Discussion: The Brutalist
Exploring the Film’s Scope and Themes
Sean Fennessey and Adam Naiman engage in a comprehensive discussion about The Brutalist, examining its ambitious scope and the revival of the VistaVision format. They explore the film’s narrative about Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian Jewish architect seeking a new life in America post-Holocaust, and his interactions with wealthy benefactor Harrison Buren.
- Sean Fennessey (02:38): “There's no better description of a cube than that of its own construction. Form follows function. And we're off to a rousing start.”
The conversation highlights the film’s dual nature as both a grand epic and an intimate character study, categorizing it as a "micro-epic." They compare it to classics like There Will Be Blood and discuss its bifurcated structure, which splits the narrative into two distinct parts.
Critical Perspectives and Cinematic Techniques
Rob Harvilla (Sean’s co-host) provides a critical lens, discussing the tension between viewing the film as an art form versus a commercial product. He emphasizes the film’s dedication to enduring film culture through its use of robust materials and meticulous construction, both in its physical sets and thematic elements.
- Rob Harvilla (07:18): “I think the movie is being celebrated in proportion to how fetishized all of this format, projection, size stuff is. And when you let yourself get totally ground down by that, you're not really talking about what works and what doesn't in it.”
Adam Naiman introduces the idea of the film being both high and low in its execution, appreciating its structural decisions like the intermission and epilogue. They delve into themes of alienation, assimilation, and the artist-patron dynamic, praising Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce’s chemistry.
- Adam Naiman (25:16): “The relationship between Van Buren and Toth and the sense of necessity that each of them provides the other is fascinating.”
Performance and Character Analysis
The hosts commend Adrien Brody’s nuanced portrayal of Laszlo Toth and Guy Pearce’s complex character Harrison Buren. They discuss how their performances elevate the film, making the characters’ interactions both intimate and electric.
- Rob Harvilla (32:09): “You clearly are pretty good actor. You clearly are pretty good actor.”
Conversation with Brady Corbet: Filmmaking Insights
Brady Corbet’s Background and Artistic Vision
Brady Corbet shares insights into his transition from acting to directing, emphasizing his passion for filmmaking and historical narratives. He discusses his collaboration with his wife, Mona Fastvold, highlighting their complementary strengths.
- Brady Corbet (79:27): “I’ve been extremely fortunate and I really enjoy my experiences, but by even the time I was 21, 22, I had truly had enough of it and I had started letting everyone know that I wasn’t going to continue and that I’d be focused on making my own projects.”
Challenges in Producing The Brutalist
Brady elaborates on the arduous production process, including financing struggles and the impact of COVID-19. He underscores the importance of retaining creative control and working with like-minded partners to bring the film to fruition.
- Brady Corbet (90:44): “We felt really good about our partners on this. Like, it was a group of people that had a lot of taste and appreciation for the film’s themes and subject matter.”
Future Projects and Filmmaking Philosophy
Looking ahead, Brady expresses his desire to continue making historical films that explore significant societal themes. He also mentions an interest in science fiction, recognizing the challenges and opportunities it presents.
- Brady Corbet (100:27): “I think that it’s a very young medium, and it’s the responsibility of this generation to really continue to explore and forge some new paths.”
Conversation with Adrien Brody: Character and Performance
Personal Connection and Character Development
Adrien Brody discusses his personal connection to the film, drawing parallels between Laszlo Toth’s story and his own family’s history as Hungarian immigrants. He highlights how these personal insights enriched his portrayal of Toth.
- Adrien Brody (128:48): “My understanding of the past, of what Laszlo is leaving behind and the trauma that he is coping with, was instrumental in representing and understanding his character.”
On-Set Experiences and Collaboration
Adrien shares his positive experiences working with Brady Corbet, praising the director’s vision and the respectful, collaborative environment on set. He contrasts this film with his previous work, noting the unique challenges and freedoms presented by shooting in VistaVision.
- Adrien Brody (142:27): “We didn’t have any antagonists on this movie. It was a group of people who understood what we were trying to do, which made the process exemplary.”
Future Endeavors and Artistic Goals
Adrien reflects on his acting journey, expressing gratitude for roles like The Pianist and his commitment to taking on diverse and meaningful projects. He emphasizes his aspiration to contribute to cinematic storytelling that resonates deeply with audiences.
- Adrien Brody (149:39): “I think that these are films that have these long sustains and then suddenly these huge orchestral swells… it's about creating that sensual experience for the audience.”
Notable Quotes
- Sean Fennessey (02:38): “There's no better description of a cube than that of its own construction. Form follows function. And we're off to a rousing start.”
- Rob Harvilla (07:18): “The movie is being celebrated in proportion to how fetishized all of this format, projection, size stuff is. And when you let yourself get totally ground down by that, you're not really talking about what works and what doesn't in it.”
- Adam Naiman (25:16): “The relationship between Van Buren and Toth and the sense of necessity that each of them provides the other is fascinating.”
- Brady Corbet (90:44): “We felt really good about our partners on this. It was a group of people that had a lot of taste and appreciation for the film’s themes and subject matter.”
- Adrien Brody (128:48): “My understanding of the past, of what Laszlo is leaving behind and the trauma that he is coping with, was instrumental in representing and understanding his character.”
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with reflections on the film’s impact and the collaborative efforts behind its creation. The hosts express their admiration for The Brutalist and its contributors, Brady Corbet and Adrien Brody, praising the film’s ability to blend grand storytelling with intimate character development. They also hint at upcoming projects and the continued exploration of meaningful cinematic narratives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Brutalist is lauded for its ambitious storytelling, blending epic themes with a tight character study.
- The film’s use of VistaVision format and structural choices like intermissions and epilogues are pivotal to its narrative style.
- Brady Corbet emphasizes the importance of creative control and collaboration in independent filmmaking.
- Adrien Brody’s personal connections enrich his portrayal, adding depth to the character of Laszlo Toth.
- Themes of alienation, assimilation, and the artist-patron relationship are central to the film’s narrative.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Sean Fennessey (02:38): “There's no better description of a cube than that of its own construction. Form follows function.”
- Rob Harvilla (07:18): “The movie is being celebrated in proportion to how fetishized all of this format, projection, size stuff is.”
- Adam Naiman (25:16): “The relationship between Van Buren and Toth and the sense of necessity that each of them provides the other is fascinating.”
- Brady Corbet (90:44): “We felt really good about our partners on this. It was a group of people that had a lot of taste and appreciation for the film’s themes and subject matter.”
- Adrien Brody (128:48): “My understanding of the past was instrumental in representing Laszlo’s character.”
This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting key discussions, themes, and insights about The Brutalist, while providing direct quotes to enrich the narrative. It serves as a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to the episode.