The Brutalist, a strong contender for several Oscars, has already won three Golden Globes in key categories (Best Motion Picture, Best Director for Brady Corbet, and Best Actor for Adrien Brody). The film has also received 93 additional accolades and is nominated for another 287 awards. Several prominent industry bodies have declared it one of the finest films of 2024.

However, controversy erupted in professional circles upon learning that Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, who portray Hungarian characters, had their accents enhanced using artificial intelligence to achieve greater authenticity. Additionally, AI was partially employed to augment the film’s visuals.

Director Brady Corbet issued a statement to calm the storm, asserting that the use of modern technology does not detract from the artistic achievements of the cast and crew. Industry insiders are now debating whether the uproar will subside before the Academy Awards voting period and whether the American Academy will reconcile with the fact that, in the third decade of the 21st century, AI has become as integral to filmmaking as digital effects.

The Brutalist also features a notably audience-friendly choice: the inclusion of an intermission in the three-and-a-half-hour film. This pause serves both technical and narrative purposes. It allows viewers to reflect and recharge, dividing the story into two distinct parts. The first chapter follows architect László Tóth (Brody) as he struggles to start a new life in post-Holocaust America, while the second shows him and his wife (Jones) confronting the darker side of the American Dream.

Corbet explained that the decision for an intermission became evident only after viewing the completed film. He realized that such a monumental work necessitated a brief break around the 100-minute mark to help audiences absorb the experience.

(The Brutalist – in domestic theaters starting Thursday!)