One of the top Oscar contenders this year is The Brutalist, in which Adrien Brody plays an architect named László Tóth who emigrates from Hungary in pursuit of the American dream. This role holds a special place in the actor’s heart, as his mother’s family also emigrated from Budapest to New York. Brody aimed not only to capture his grandparents’ accents in his performance but also to channel a distinctly Hungarian "sensitivity," which he says reminds him of the raw, layered humor of his American hometown.
Brody spoke about The Brutalist and his Hungarian roots this week on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. "Many of you might know that my mother is an incredible and acclaimed photographer, Sylvia Plachy. She is a Hungarian-born artist who fled the country with my grandparents during the 1956 revolution. Her journey, her struggles, and the sacrifices she made as an immigrant are deeply personal to me. I am the son of a Hungarian immigrant," the actor shared, adding that it was an honor to draw from his family’s experiences to tell a story in The Brutalist.
Brody revealed that his grandfather served as the inspiration for the accent he uses in the film, as he spoke with a strong Hungarian inflection. "And I found a lot of truth in that. Not just in how he sounded but in a certain Hungarian emotional tone," the actor explained. Colbert then asked how Brody would describe this Hungarian emotionality.
"They’re amazingly passionate, fiery, and very direct. And that’s a good quality," Brody said, describing his perception of Hungarians. He added that this reminds him a lot of how New Yorkers behave and joke. "If you’re not used to that style, sometimes you don’t know if they’re joking or not. And when they are joking, there’s a lot of truth in it. They don’t mince words, but then they’ll say, ‘Oh, it was just a joke.’"
Critics have widely praised Brody’s performance. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor has rarely been this good, imbuing the character of László Tóth with dignity while authentically conveying his pain and internal struggles.
