The Brutalist + Mike Leigh & Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Hard Truths

Kermode & Mayo’s Take

‘The Brutalist’ is the epic structure on the horizon of this week’s movie releases; Mark reviews this fictional biopic of Hungarian architect László Tóth (Adrien Brody), a Holocaust survivor who arrives in America as an immigrant in 1947. Bauhaus trained and revered in his home country, László finds himself anonymous in a sometimes hostile USA—but gets a commission from a wealthy industrialist (Guy Pearce) that looks like the break he needs.

Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Presence’ hits cinemas too this week—a ghost story in a troubled family home, shot from the perspective of the ghost. Plus don’t miss our ‘Flight Risk’ Embargo Special, coming up this

evening after 11pm, when the review embargo on the film lifts.

Our guests this week are one of Britain’s best-known filmmakers, and one of its most revered dramatic actors: Mike Leigh and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Their new film ‘Hard Truths’ hits UK cinemas next week. It follows the day-to-day life of Jean-Baptiste's Pansy, an explosively angry and depressed woman grieving her mother, whose barbed judgements of strangers and family alike can be searingly funny. Pansy seems to long for connection in her ailing relationships with her husband, son and sister, but is prone to pushing others away and further isolating herself. Simon sits down with the creative duo to talk about building this complex character, Leigh’s unusual working methods, and more.

We’ll also take a moment this week to remember David Lynch, who we lost on 15th January, aged 78. One of the true greats of cinema, his singular surreal vision has inspired millions across his five-decade career. From Eraserhead and Blue Velvet to Twin Peaks, we hear from you about what his groundbreaking work meant.

Timecodes (for Vanguardistas listening ad-free):

Presence Review: 10:44

Mike Leigh & Marianne Jean Baptiste Interview: 28:57

Laughter lift: 41:51

The Brutalist Review: 42:32

Remembering David Lynch: 55:21

You can contact the show by emailing [e-mail] or you can find us on social media, @KermodeandMayo

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