ATTILA: Come and take a seat at my desk.
ATTILA: Is it smaller than you expected?
LASZLO: What?
ATTILA: The shop.
LASZLO: No, not at all. I had no expectation. Who is Miller?
Miller & Sons — The Brutalist
Laszlo confronts his cousin Attila about his new Americanized identity and business name while providing a blunt critique of the showroom's furniture. The scene highlights the tension between artistic integrity and the pragmatic survival of immigrants in post-war America.
Format: Duologue · Genre: drama · Source: The Brutalist · Author: Brady Corbet · Characters: Attila, Laszlo
About This Scene
This compelling duologue from "The Brutalist" presents a candid and slightly tense exchange between two male characters, Attila and Laszlo, likely in their 30s-50s. Set in a furniture showroom, the scene unpacks themes of identity, family tension, and the immigrant experience in post-war America. It provides a rich ground for exploring unspoken resentments and the complex layers of human connection.
Character Analysis
Attila, previously Molnar, has embraced a new Americanized identity as "Miller" to navigate the business world, indicating a pragmatic and adaptable nature, perhaps at the cost of personal authenticity. Laszlo, in contrast, appears to be a more grounded and perhaps artistically-minded individual, openly critical and observant, comfortable with blunt honesty. Their dynamic suggests a pre-existing family relationship now strained by differing life philosophies and experiences in a new country.
Why This Works for Auditions
This scene is excellent for auditions due to its nuanced exploration of character and subtext. The dialogue is naturalistic yet layered, allowing actors to showcase their ability to convey complex emotions and relationships without resorting to overt melodrama. Its contemporary period and relevant themes of identity and survival make it particularly resonant for a wide range of casting opportunities. The contrast between Attila's assimilation and Laszlo's integrity also provides a strong foundation for a dynamic scene study.
Best Suited For
This scene is particularly well-suited for actors who excel at portraying grounded, character-driven roles within the 30s-50s age range. It would be ideal for performers looking to be cast as a Character Actor, Everyman, or someone embodying an Outsider or Working Class type. The themes of immigrant experience and family tension make it especially effective for actors who can convey a sense of history and unspoken emotional baggage within their performance.
Performance Tips
Actors approaching this scene should focus on the subtext embedded in each line, particularly regarding Attila's name change and Laszlo's critique of the furniture. Pay close attention to how each character uses their body language to convey their underlying feelings – Attila's attempted composure versus Laszlo's directness. Embrace the "candid" and "slightly tense" tone by allowing moments of uncomfortable silence and eye contact to speak volumes, building the palpable tension and appreciative undertones between these two men.