This week in entertainment, two compelling stories are capturing attention: the potential Oscar win for Brady Corbet's ambitious film, 'The Brutalist,' and the decades-long quest to uncover Jerry Lewis's infamous, unreleased Holocaust drama, 'The Day the Clown Cried.'
'The Brutalist': An Oscar Contender?
Brady Corbet's 'The Brutalist,' starring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce, has sparked debate due to its lengthy runtime. Clocking in at over three hours, some critics have deemed it excessive. However, many argue that the film's length is essential to fully explore its complex themes. The film delves into the life of a Holocaust survivor architect and his challenging journey navigating the American dream.
The film tackles weighty subjects such as art, patronage, the relationship between the US and Europe, and the relentless nature of capitalism. Supporters of the film argue that these themes require significant screen time to be properly addressed. Comparisons have been drawn to classic American cinema like 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Godfather,' films that also dared to be ambitious and profound. Is 'The Brutalist' destined for Oscar glory?
The Mystery of 'The Day the Clown Cried'
On a completely different note, the legacy of comedian Jerry Lewis continues to fascinate, particularly concerning his controversial Holocaust drama, 'The Day the Clown Cried.' Lewis, known for his comedic partnership with Dean Martin, passed away in 2017 at the age of 91. The film, which he directed and starred in, has never been screened in its entirety and remains shrouded in mystery.
The film's plot, involving a clown who leads Jewish children to their deaths in Auschwitz, has been a source of intense controversy and speculation. 
While some have dismissed it as a misguided vanity project, others believe it could be a powerful and important work. Jerry Lewis himself rarely spoke about the film in detail, further adding to its mystique.
Now, Lewis's son is reportedly on a "30-year quest" to uncover and potentially release the film. What will become of this lost piece of cinema history? Will it ever see the light of day? Only time will tell.
Two Sides of Cinema
These two stories, 'The Brutalist' and 'The Day the Clown Cried', represent vastly different aspects of cinema. One is a modern, ambitious film vying for critical acclaim, while the other is a controversial, unreleased project shrouded in secrecy. Both, however, speak to the power of film to provoke thought, spark debate, and leave a lasting impact on audiences.
"American cinema’s high-water marks, from Citizen Kane to The Godfather and beyond, tend to be big, muscular movies that believe they have something profound to say about the country of their making."
Whether it's the architectural grandeur of 'The Brutalist' or the unsettling premise of 'The Day the Clown Cried,' cinema continues to challenge and inspire us.