Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce in ‘The Brutalist’ (Photo Credit: A24)

A24’s The Brutalist, an epic, powerful, and brilliantly crafted film, is a rare cinematic achievement. Its three-plus hour running time is fully justified by the richness and depth of its storytelling. Every aspect of the incredible cinematic experience created by director and co-writer Brady Corbet showcases the exceptional talent of the artists involved.

Corbet and co-writer Mona Fastvold set their film in the 1940s and center it on László Tóth, a Jewish architect who barely escapes Budapest with his life. He’s forced to leave his wife, Erzsébet, and niece, Zsófia, behind when he flees to America with just the shirt on his back.

He’s briefly taken in by his cousin, Attila, who owns a furniture store. Harry Van Buren commissions the cousins to redesign a library for his incredibly wealthy father, Harrison. Unfortunately, Harrison dislikes surprises,...