By Jason Osiason

The Brutalist is a mesmerizing epic about immigrant Laszlo Toth, who arrives in the United States after fleeing the devastation of Post World War 2 Europe and the Holocaust, hoping to rebuild his life far from everything he previously lost. It’s an epic that establishes itself as a modern American classic from the very first frame. The film’s use of sweeping cinematography amplifies the grandeur and tragedy of Laszlo and his wife Erzsebet’s journey played by an astonishing Felicity Jones. Each shot feels carefully sculpted capturing the vast imposing architecture of America and the intimate spaces where their personal dreams falter. Director Brady Corbet’s choice to single out moments with bold, almost mythic title cards reinforces the sense of historical weight, stamping the story as a powerful, classic American epic while setting a rhythm that keeps viewers grounded in each significant chapter of their lives.

The film’s symphonic score amplifies this grandeur, matching the story’s emotional peaks and valleys. The music is almost hypnotic, weaving through Laszlo’s architectural vision and Erzsebet’s haunting journey with precision, each note reinforcing their shared despair and fleeting moments of hope. This interplay between visual and auditory storytelling turns the film into a kind of symphony, where every scene contributes to an unfolding musical and emotional experience that’s rare in modern cinema.

Corbet’s choice to end the movie with “One for You, One for Me” by La Bionda is a stroke of brilliance. It’s a song filled with irony and bittersweet charm, perfectly capturing the shattered ideals and dashed hopes that define Laszlo and Erzsebet’s story. This musical choice leaves you feeling the full weight of their journey—two people who gave everything for an American dream that was, in the end, just as much an illusion as a promise. This final note captures the film’s essence in a single phrase: one for the dream, and one for the reality they’re left to live.

The Brutalist offers an unforgettable look at ambition, survival, and the cost of dreams. Its symphonic score, stunning cinematography, iconic title cards, and perfectly chosen ending turn it into an instant classic, a film that asks you not only to witness, but to feel every layer of hope and despair alongside Laszlo and Erzsebet. [A]