The Brutalist boasts impressive cinematography and exceptional acting performances, which deserve credit for their artistry. However, the story suffers from a lack of coherence and compelling structure. As a viewer, I found myself questioning the relevance of many scenes in relation to the premise introduced in the opening moments. This disconnect left the narrative feeling disjointed and aimless.
The intermission card appearing at around the 90-minute mark was particularly jarring. Rather than providing a natural pause or deepening my engagement with the story, it highlighted the lack of narrative momentum. Unfortunately, instead of serving as a moment to reflect on the unfolding plot, it felt demoralizing, which just reinforced the absence of a clear purpose or progression in the film’s storytelling.