Every now and then, a film comes along that will divide audiences - The Counselor is definitely one of those films. You will either like this film, or hate it. If you love it, then you are definitely in a whole other group. The legend that is Ridley Scott brings together an all star cast, with a script by first time screenplay writer Cormac McCarthy. Although I am not familiar with his written work, I have seen some of his adaptations, namely No Country for Old Men and The Road, and both are good films. I preferred The Road over No Country.
Where do I even start to tell you what I thought of it - firstly, casting. Fassbender is, as always, just cool. He is just damn cool. He is excellent as the confident Counselor, that starts to break up when the shit hits the fan. Don't worry folks, that's not a spoiler. It's in the synopsis.
From IMDB - "A lawyer finds himself in over his head when he gets involved in drug trafficking."
The rest of the cast is all pretty good as well. Pitt, again, cool as a cucumber; Javier - another zany character for him; Penelope - nothing much to do, except look sexy, which she does well; Cameron, Diaz that is - now this is the tough one. Cameron Diaz to some will be horribly miscast, to others she will be fine. For me, I'm a little torn. Her character is basically a femme fatale, a seductress that can't be trusted, but you'll fall for her anyways. For the most part, I think I am fine with her in the role. The thing is, I just don't find Diaz beautiful. Sure, you is alluring in this film, but there is no natural beauty to her. She looks good done up all slutty, but without that, I'm a bit meh. That's probably too critical on her in general, rather than how she played the role.
The thing I quite enjoyed about this film is the dialogue. And let me tell you straight, this film is about dialogue. There a some minor moments of action, but it is predominantly talky. And, for the most part, it is sumputous for the ears. I could watch this again just to listen in more carefully. Aside from that, the usual Ridley production value is there - he really knows how to make a beautiful looking film.
The story, well, it's pretty simple, but it's the way it is executed that will get most people. It just feels like the audience is left to fill in the gaps. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing in movies, the audience should think about things, but, the movie is almost like watching a series of scenes that are put together to follow some sort of narrative, but it doesn't gel completely. Characters pop in here and there, but are never seen again or serve only to move the plot along to the next destination or scene.
The first half is pretty much all talk, and then it slowly ramps up to a more intense ending, but, in some ways it needed to be bigger, or more gripping - especially after all that talk. It's good talk, but, you want the pay off, and I don't think we quite got that. I liked this movie, which I am happy to say. But, I wanted to love it, especially with the talent involved, and I just can't. I would watch it again though, some time down the track.
In the end, without giving away the ending, what is it all about? - Simply - Greed is not good, be happy with what you have. Sure, there's more to it than that, but, it's a non spoiler review.
Rating:
3 out of 5.
P.S. Cameron Diaz and a Windscreen - Javier's reaction - priceless.
