THE COUNSELLOR - archive from 13th November 2013

Saw 'THE COUNSELLOR' last night - the movie that has divided critics, and most have been less than enthusiastic! That said, this Ridley Scott Directed offering stands up well I thought (as did my two movie buddies!) being the first Cormac McCarthy screenplay, and starring heavyweights Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. 

This is the story of Mexican drug cartels who you don't want to cross, the trappings of past successful deals, sexual tension and one mans decision to jump in for the first time in order to set himself (Fassbender), and his love (Cruz), up for the rest of their lives and then get out quick with the loot and retire! This latter point though is where it all goes horribly wrong, and lives start to unravel quickly and the body count starts to rise. This though is a dialogue heavy film peppered with lengthy monologues, thought provoking statement and exposition aplenty. 

When the action comes it does so thick, fast & fleetingly and our protagonists die mostly horribly at the hands of Mexican drug lords and a corrupt system. Bardem proves his diversity yet again (remember 'NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN' and 'SKYFALL'); Pitt is stoic & solid in the face of adversity; and you'll see Diaz like you have never seen her before! Diaz is tattooed; is the sexual predator; is the cold, callous and calculating femme fatale in this piece and will stop at nothing to get her way . . . and I will only ever think of catfish when I see this actress up on screen again! 

The tension ramps up in the third act as the films climax approaches and the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle come together, and with it the unravelling of Fassbender as the realisation of his choice come home to roost! This film is not for everyone - you can easily wait for the DVD and save the price of a ticket, but I for one enjoyed this offering and what the Scott/McCarthy partnership have delivered.

You decide!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-