Joey Magidson
I always enjoy talking to Adrien Brody. I previously spoke to Brody earlier this year about Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty here and here about Asteroid City last year. Whenever we get together for a chat, I feel like I really get to hear about why he chooses a role. With The Brutalist, the opportunity provided to him by Brady Corbet is so sweeping, it’s not hard to see the appeal. When I saw the movie back at the Toronto International Film Festival, Brody was one of the elements that hit me hardest while watching the epic (alongside Felicity Jones, who I spoke to here). Now, with the work about to enter theaters at last, he returns to talk about it.
In my review out of TIFF (here), I spoke of Brody’s work, and the rest of the cast, like so:
Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce all do some of their best work here, painting on an expansive canvas. Brody portrays the evolution, or perhaps de-evolution, of a man with the commitment of a biopic. He’s intense and every bit the brutalist that his work is, but there’s hints of tenderness. It’s easily one of his most complex parts to date, and he nails it. Jones doesn’t show up until the second half, but is a force of nature from back in Eastern Europe. At times, the script almost makes her a co-lead, though on occasion her narrative arc feels a bit stock by comparison. Then, there’s Pearce, who is best in show as a man who you’re always leery of. An ultimate act of betray is shocking, but also really does hammer home the power imbalance in the relationship Pearce’s Harrison has with Brody’s László.
Below, you can hear my latest chat with Brody. We actually start by referencing our prior conversation about Winning Time and his role as Pat Riley. The way that show sort of ended abruptly clearly is just more fuel on the fire for him. When we turn to The Brutalist, he speaks about what a gift it has been for him, not just as an actor, but a person as well. Brody is always incredibly interesting to talk with, so it’s not surprise that this isn’t an exception. He’s tremendous in the film, which you all are finally about to be able to see. Organically, this has become one of the must-see movies of 2024, in no small part to his work, which is rightly considered at the front of the Oscar race for Best Actor. Once you watch the flick, you’ll understand why…
Here now is my interview with The Brutalist star Adrien Brody. Enjoy:
The Brutalist is in theaters this weekend!
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