When the Oscar nominations for the year were announced, everyone involved with Emilia Perez couldn’t control their elation with the success – they led the chart with 13 nominations. But The Brutalist wasn’t far behind. The Adrien Brody starrer was the joint second on the list, with a whopping 10 nominations to its name, alongside Wicked. This remarkable feat is a testament to the hard work the cast and crew put into the project.
However, of late, there were some doubts raised about Adrien Brody’s efforts in the film. Helmed by Brady Corbet, The Brutalist tells the story of a man escaping from postwar Europe, searching for a chance to redeem his life and move on. Corbet assembled a star-studded cast, including Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, both of whom brought their characters to life with authenticity. It is not Brody’s first time tackling a wartime role, showcasing his ability to embody complex characters seamlessly.
Brody’s performance as László Tóth stands out, as he flawlessly navigates an emotional journey that spans several decades, evidenced by his Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film’s runtime of over three and a half hours adds to the intensity of his role, which demanded physical and emotional investment. Brody left his heart on the set, delivering each scene with passion and dedication. Thus, he was understandably dejected when fans questioned his skills, believing that his performance relied heavily on AI manipulation.
Just a few weeks back, it came to light that AI had been utilized during post-production to adjust certain scenes, particularly those featuring Brody and Jones conversing in Hungarian. This revelation sparked concern among fans, with many asserting that AI was the true architect behind the film’s success. Adrien Brody was quick to rebut this notion, stating, “There was a tremendous amount of dialect work that needed to be done—I had to memorize Hungarian language… It was quite an emotional journey [told] over several decades,” as reported by Vanity Fair. Such nuances are often overlooked by audiences.
Corbet also weighed in, emphasizing, “Adrien and Felicity’s performances are completely their own.” The comments surrounding AI’s involvement have reignited debates in the film industry regarding the use of technology in creative processes. Adrien Brody did not shy away from voicing his thoughts on the matter, commenting, “I understand that we live in a time where even just the mention of AI is a bit triggering. We live in a time where, unfortunately, things can get misappropriated quite easily on the internet and I just wish people had more understanding of the context and facts of the circumstances.”
It has been clarified that AI adjustments were only made in the scenes where Brody and Jones spoke Hungarian, and it’s clear that Brody feels aggrieved by the sweeping generalizations about his work. The intersection of art and technology continues to provoke strong opinions and emotions, especially concerning personal expressions of creativity. As the dialogue on AI and its role in filmmaking progresses, Adrien Brody’s efforts and commitment to his craft remain pivotal in the face of criticism.
