The Counselor
Summary
A decade after its release , Ridley Scott is defendingThe Counseloragainst its negatively charged reviews . sport an ensemble cast of Penélope Cruz , Brad Pitt , Cameron Diaz , Javier Bardem , and Michael Fassbender , who play the titular protagonist , the crime thriller was written by Pulitzer Prize succeeder Cormac McCarthy anddirected by Scottand follow a gamey - level lawyer who makes the drastic conclusion to enter the Scheol of mellow - end drug trafficking . Historically , a spate of Scott ’s workplace has been meet with in high spirits praise and noteworthy award , however , The Counseloris arguably the prize - winning movie maker ’s most divisive oeuvre to appointment for varying reasons .
speak toRolling Stonein a recent consultation , Scott vehemently defendsThe Counselor , experience it is " fun and cynical , " and it remains one of his preferred movies to date . The 85 - class - old film maker explained that he was very defeated in the general receptionThe Counselorgot upon its release , adding that masses are only come out to get it now , much like his other movies which were n’t well received at first , but went on to become classic . Read his full comment below :
Probably not . I passed it by Cameron first and say , “ So … what do you intend ? ” And she allege , “ So what ? ” And I order , “ OK ! ” And I said , “ I ’m not gon na trace it , just read it . ” Cormac McCarthy , in my world , is credibly the best dialogue writer ever . The Counselor is one of my darling of my movies , but it ’s a very dark subtext , and you could palpate it coming from minute one . It ’s so glum because it ’s ground on a sealed amount of truth . I was so discomfited , and I do n’t know who to pick because I recollect the film is really f—-n ’ good . It ’s so fun and cynical . the great unwashed take it so seriously ! People are getting it now . It ’s always vexing because my films incline to get got subsequently . The famous one is Blade Runner , which was dead for twenty years and then got discovered again by chance event at the Santa Monica Film Festival .
Why Were Critics So Harsh On The Counselor?
Currently sit with an approving rating of 34 % from critics on brushup aggregate Rotten Tomatoes , The Counselorremains one of Scott ’s lowest - reviewed movies to date . While his worst - reexamine undertaking remains theRussell Crowe - led romantic comedyA Good Year , sit at a 26 % from critics , it only narrowly surpassesExodus : Gods and Kingsand1492 : Conquest of Paradisefor stave off being his secondly - worst . With audiences , on the other handwriting , the 2013 crime thriller sits at a life history - defective of 24 % .
Despite being penned by McCarthy , the source behind exchangeable genre worksNo Country for Old MenandChild of God , The Counselorwas mostly met with electronegative review for its underwhelming taradiddle and screenplay . pore more on dialogue than factual shudder , with the latter still break to swot up entertainment among critics , the movie was largely give the sack as " too windy " . Though the ensemble cast saw some positive receipt , namely a fairly against - type Cameron Diaz , even they could n’t help the rest period of the movie .
Despite its critical failing , The Counselorwas a lowly box situation winner , gross over $ 71 million against its $ 25 million product budget .
At the time of its release , The Counselorwas also seen as a law of continuation of Scott ’s down trend on the big screen . ThoughtheAlienprequelPrometheusgarnered humble reviews and a unanimous box office haulage the twelvemonth before , his adjustment ofRobin Hoodwas largely considered a vital and commercial-grade dud , with his follow - up to the 2013 thriller , Exodus : Gods and Kingssimilarly being take for a nonstarter . Even if critics were n’t as favorable of the picture show , Scott ’s defence reaction ofThe Counselorshows his heat stay on just as fervent for the residuum of his filmography .
Source : Rolling Stone