The Counselor Review
RYAN: The new crime thriller from director Ridley Scott is a beautiful film but falls short on thrills. They’re in there but it’s 85% simmer and 15% boil.
CAROLINE: That’s too bad. This cast is killer. Maybe it was just a slow script?
RYAN: Well the movie is two hours long. If they cut thirty minutes out of it, tightening it up considerably, the tension might have grown stronger. It’s an edgy, gorgeous movie but weighed down. I was even thinking during certain scenes, “You could cut this whole scene. It’s unnecessary.” The movie doesn’t feel too long – but it is slow moving.
CAROLINE: That can be the kiss of death to a movie.
RYAN: It can be but this movie isn’t dead – there are terrific moments. It’s sexy and violent in a shocking way, almost like a Coen Brothers movie.
CAROLINE: It must have been the performances that keep it floating. Anyone a scene stealer?
RYAN: I was thinking it was Cameron Diaz. Her first few scenes are very different for her. But by the end of the film, I realized she it was her hair, makeup and wardrobe doing the acting.
CAROLINE: That’s too bad. She does look gorgeous though.
RYAN: Beyond. And I’m obsessed with her manicure in this movie. Her nails are silver – like mirrors. Craymazing.
CAROLINE: Not for me, but that’s cool. How was Brad Pitt?
RYAN: He’s good. He’s fine. I don’t think he’s the best actor in town. He’s more of a star than an actor, you know? Now Michael Fassbender, on the other hand – whoa.
CAROLINE: Yeah he’s really good.
RYAN: He’s becoming one of my faves. Between this and 12 Years a Slave, also out now, I can’t even. His range as an actor is incredible.
CAROLINE: And he looks good too.
RYAN: I actually like his body type way more than, like, Chris Hemsworth, etc…
CAROLINE: Totally. Not that we’re kicking superheroes out of bed.
RYAN: (laughs) Javier Bardem is as good as ever and they made him lit’rally orange-tanned in this movie. It was hilarious and gross. And his hair… this movie is super stylized in all design aspects… And the camera work, pans and zooms were creative and effective.
CAROLINE: What about Penny Cruz?
RYAN: Not a huge role but what’s there is great.
CAROLINE: Were you able to understand her?
RYAN: Dare I say her English may finally be improving – somewhat?
CAROLINE: Ha! That would be nice.
RYAN: It’s a very strong movie with some lines I wish I had written down – some interesting morals to the story in there. Mostly it’s a film about consequences, cause and effect. It’s just too slow for a must see.
