There are many films out there about obsessive artists and the ups and downs of their personal and professional careers, but few as compelling and ambitious as THE BRUTALIST. Holocaust survivor and brilliant architect László Tóth (Adrian Brody) emigrates to the US and falls on hard times until he is engaged by eccentric millionaire Harrison Van Buren (Guy Pearce) to build a unique building as a monument to himself. But László’s trauma, the arrival of his wife and niece (Felicity Jones and Raffey Cassidy) to the US and Van Buren’s increasingly volatile behaviour threatens to bring the whole thing crashing down. Brady Corbet’s film is the work of a master craftsman, executed with such confidence and an utter refusal to compromise on his challenging creative vision. Themes build upon themes, the rich visual tapestry and soundscape paired with memorable performances from the ensemble (particularly Brody, Jones and Pearce) that veer from heartbreaking to subtly funny, makes the imposing three and a half hours fly by. SSP