The Counselor

Name: The Counselor
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: October 25, 2013
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 48
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Dean Norris, Goran Visnjic, Javier Bardem

2013

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 305 Ratings

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5.7

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5.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 305 Ratings

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The Counselor

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: October 25, 2013 | R

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Dean Norris, Goran Visnjic, Javier Bardem, John Leguizamo, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Dormer, Penélope Cruz, Rosie Perez

Summary: A lawyer finds himself in over his head when he gets involved in drug trafficking.

Director: Ridley Scott

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Colette Bancroft

Oct 24, 2013

The Counselor explodes with violence that is grisly, but not gratuitous: McCarthy has a point to make. Wars create monsters, and the drug war is no exception. Read full review

Tom Russo

Oct 24, 2013

This one has more in common with Scott’s “Thelma & Louise” in the memorable way it escalates, inevitably but also unexpectedly, into a spin through wilder country, and a meditation on bigger themes. Read full review

Film.com Kate Erbland

Oct 24, 2013

A darkly tense drama that rarely hits anything resembling an emotional beat. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Oct 28, 2013

It's not so much a bad film as it is a disappointing one. A very disappointing one. Read full review

The Telegraph Robbie Collin

Nov 20, 2013

It feels like a film that is attracted by the shape of love and pain, but is a long way from understanding the content. Read full review

Connie Ogle

Oct 24, 2013

What you don’t expect is camp. The Counselor is more "Wild Things" than "No Country for Old Men", with which it shares a border town setting. But at least "Wild Things" knew what it was. The Counselor treats its material seriously and seems to have no idea it’s a joke that can’t even muster up a bit of smarty-pants Tarantino cleverness or energy. Read full review

Jeff Baker

Oct 25, 2013

The Counselor is nothing but a dumb, gory, grab-bag of clichés and the biggest waste of talent since "Savages." It makes Oliver Stone look subtle. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rekkr

Oct 25, 2013

In my ever-humble opinion, this is a saddening example of metacritic's inevitable deception. Many will see the generally unfavorable reception towards this film and write it off without the blink of an eye.

Now I am in no way saying that my opinion is absolute (it so clearly is not), andIn my ever-humble opinion, this is a saddening example of metacritic's inevitable deception. Many will see the generally unfavorable reception towards this film and write it off without the blink of an eye.

Now I am in no way saying that my opinion is absolute (it so clearly is not), and I would also like to point out that I do not throw around 10-ratings lightly.
This film is, without a doubt, one of the most brilliant films I have seen in years.
Ridley Scott is an artist with a 'true vision', and I will not argue that it requires one to be on a certain wavelength in order to perceive this vision (I do not mean to sound pretentious).
Every inch of Cormac McCarthy's dialogue is profoundly thought-provoking and unknowingly exposing,
and the performances are brilliant to the point of the cast's A-list status coming off as a mere coincidental detail. Fassbender, Pitt, Diaz, Bardem, and Cruz all exhibit the same fearless resolve as Scott on the other side of the lense.
Despite common criticism of the film's 'lack of cohesion' or 'identity confusion', I assert that this film's self-identity is actually stronger than most. Those who cannot recognize this cannot see the forest for the trees. Those who are not familiar with a more 'Art-house' approach to film-making/story-telling will most likely end up alienated. This movie makes no attempt to ease viewers into its twisted and bizarrely real world, and that is ENTIRELY intentional.

Again, I do not mean to sound aggressive towards those many who dislike this film.
I simply wanted to present my personal appreciation for this film which I consider monumental, and for those intrigued but disenchanted by the negative reception to persevere until they can form their own opinion.… Expand

24 of 38 users found this helpful2414

Danielito09

Nov 11, 2013

Like a McCarthy novel, one time through isn't enough to really see what's going on. I liked the film and unlike much of the criticism, didn't find it boring or confusing. There's ambiguity and narrative gaps, but McCarthy does that and I'm willing to bet there's a good reason for it. I'm notLike a McCarthy novel, one time through isn't enough to really see what's going on. I liked the film and unlike much of the criticism, didn't find it boring or confusing. There's ambiguity and narrative gaps, but McCarthy does that and I'm willing to bet there's a good reason for it. I'm not spoiling anything, but this is what I understood about the film..

Unspeakable evil exists in men. Don't get close to it, or it will get you. God, if He exists, doesn't care. The choices you make create your reality. As it was stated in No Country, "you can't stop what's coming.'" It feels bleak, but fully accepting the reality, as only one character in this movie does, can be liberating. You can't count on justice. You have to make your own.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

Sharkfarts

Aug 1, 2014

I found the first half of this movie a struggle to watch and had to stop. I finished it today and felt somewhat redeemed. The second half delivers a bit more payoff, but don't consider this an action movie, because it isn't. It's arthouse, it's well done, the actors perform to perfection,I found the first half of this movie a struggle to watch and had to stop. I finished it today and felt somewhat redeemed. The second half delivers a bit more payoff, but don't consider this an action movie, because it isn't. It's arthouse, it's well done, the actors perform to perfection, the plot is airtight and the writing is brilliant. That said, I didn't exactly enjoy watching it. It is a tragedy with no uplifting moments. That doesn't make it a bad movie, but I was left wondering what, exactly, DID I get out of watching it? It's filled with elite philosophy, elite in the sense that it doesn't apply or even make sense for most people to think along these lines. There was one speech I really appreciated. Maybe everyone will find something to connect with. At any rate, this movie is high quality but whether you'll enjoy it or not is a matter of taste and expectation.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

haukyn

Jul 14, 2014

Ok, this was pretty nasty. It might have worked if the plot had provided better motivation for the events that unfolded, particularly why Fassbender's character got involved in the drugs trade. But it seemed really to be trading on the No Country for Old Men formula ... or is it the Game ofOk, this was pretty nasty. It might have worked if the plot had provided better motivation for the events that unfolded, particularly why Fassbender's character got involved in the drugs trade. But it seemed really to be trading on the No Country for Old Men formula ... or is it the Game of Thrones formula? Happy endings are not on the menu.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

PStakhiv

Nov 10, 2013

What a waste of talent! The Counselor joins the club of the garbage movies of 2013! Absolutely the worst Ridley Scott's directing in his career. I give it 2 10 for acting part, every other aspect is a disaster

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

Kevlar1

Nov 16, 2013

Whenever I watch such "movies" I feel ashamed for their "creators". I myself don't even feel insulted by the garbage they threw at me from the screen disdain for moviegoers has become common place nowadays. R.Scott was lucky to make couple of good movies, since then all he cares about isWhenever I watch such "movies" I feel ashamed for their "creators". I myself don't even feel insulted by the garbage they threw at me from the screen disdain for moviegoers has become common place nowadays. R.Scott was lucky to make couple of good movies, since then all he cares about is money. What was he expecting the spectators to say after having watched the film? Amazing interiors", :"fast cheetahs", "Fassbinder licking muffin of Penelope Cruz who complains that it's dirty", "Queer Bardem", Diaz screwing the Ferrari" "Pitt loses his head due to idiotic device"... What a sham! But the worst part is dialogues. A good movie talking should do three things: move forward the plot, explore the characters, elicit some emotions. Here you have long imbecile speeches which try to pretend sexy, philosophic or smart. EVERY single person speaks as if they majored at ancient Greek literature. My god, what happened to good screenwriters? Studios should give the process back to independent producers, otherwise, in 5 years, people will go the cinemas just to eat some popcorn and play bowing.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

ThomasSmithson

Jul 20, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have a test for any and all art forms, if you can make fun of it, there's a problem with it, this abominable waste of celluloid did not even qualify or register.
The so called A-list cast epitomized contract/paycheck players-Cameron Diaz in the end outwits all...I rest my case.

Scott's Blade Runner was my awakening into how much can be conveyed through a film's actor's, sound design, special effects, dialogue, lighting and soundtrack, Scott created a dark dystopian future where the humans/replicants were worth saving, loving, fighting-dying for, even the diabolical Roy Batty made us see, made us feel, empathize with his perspective, his love, his short life.

In closing, our ancestors scratched more movement and moment and feeling and purpose on cave walls, mister Scott, hang up the lens, play shuffleboard, do something, but please, please don't make another, whatever The Counselor was ....and anyone who can steer past my review and give The Counselor a chance, save your large popcorn container and stow it under your seat for future use as a vomit pail.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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