Just Because a film has been super hyped and about the trans community doesn’t mean that it’s a ten. (See previous review of Emila Perez http://www.getroxy.xyz/emilia-perez-like-the-terrain-in-mexcico-audaciously-uneven/)
Just Because a film is about Jewish immigration doesn’t mean it’s a ten.
I worry this year’s Oscars is going to be the opposite of my Just Becauses: Emilia Perez (a 9 in creativity and an 8 story telling) and now The Brutalist (same as Emilia) will be rewarded because they’re the social causes du jour.
The real Oscar snub is Sing Sing for not getting a Best Film nom and for Clarence (same film) not getting a Best Supporting Actor nom.
This is not to say the two issues within Emilia Perez and The Brutalist are not important: prejudice against trans people(or anyone for that matter) or the Jewish population aren’t important. The issues are very important.
But I believe film should help guide us to new heights.
A movie that did enlighten me was Sing Sing, making me feel deeply the plight of remorseful and rehabilitated criminals, where neither of the aforementioned films gave me anything fresh or that poignant of which to hang on.
The Brutalist is a high achievement in film, both in scope and SOME of its cinematography. But a large swath filmed out on the manse in Pennsylvania had a weird red and green tinted outline on the characters faces, mouths and hands.
Also women and men degrading men for an entire film again does not make people want change, but rather just antagonize people to be angry.
What’s great: the acting: Guy Pearce (but please, do not give a flat antagonist role an Oscar, meaning his character), Adrian Brody, and Felicity Jones.
The score was also very impressive.
But I never teared up in this at all. The theme of ‘America is full of mean people’ may be true for some folks, but hating America is not going to change it.
Worth seeing, but nowhere near a home run.