10-11-2016, 01:41 PM
The Counselor is the realization of Cormac McCarthy's first spec script; there's no book behind it. A lot of people climbed aboard. Ridley Scott (directing), Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Rosie Perez-- Holy shit. A major project.
So I decided to give it a gawk thinking it might be a light comedy. Because I've been down a bit after a recent reading binge on depressing novels. Turns out it's about hopelessness and despair.
McCarthy is a master at putting characters in situations that challenge their morality and ethics, then tightening the quandary screws until there's no way out, and then mercilessly moving in for the close-up whether by camera or prose. It's mesmerizingly ghastly.
The movie bombed at the box office. Most critics blamed the script for its excessive dialog and minimal action, not to mention the over-complicated plot. But there's a small subset of critics who view it as brilliant and staunchly defend it. Just one example, lifted from Wikipedia:
And that's the thing. The movie doesn't feel like a movie because it avoids so many of the formulas. Yes, it gets talky in a number of spots, but it's usually interesting stuff: McCarthy philosophizing about hope and love, peace, freedom, loyalty, and how all of that is bullshit and there's only hopelessness and despair.
I liked the movie. It felt different and engaged me. I liked seeing all these actors in their roles. Most critics single out Cameron Diaz as having the standout performance. It's a great role that she fills beautifully, and she's a whole lot of fun to watch. But I think Fassbender was even more impressive in his challenging role as the Counselor, requiring him to be both nuanced and far-reaching.
All in all, an engaging two hours. And I only had a few nightmares afterwards.
So I decided to give it a gawk thinking it might be a light comedy. Because I've been down a bit after a recent reading binge on depressing novels. Turns out it's about hopelessness and despair.
McCarthy is a master at putting characters in situations that challenge their morality and ethics, then tightening the quandary screws until there's no way out, and then mercilessly moving in for the close-up whether by camera or prose. It's mesmerizingly ghastly.
The movie bombed at the box office. Most critics blamed the script for its excessive dialog and minimal action, not to mention the over-complicated plot. But there's a small subset of critics who view it as brilliant and staunchly defend it. Just one example, lifted from Wikipedia:
Quote:Manohla Dargis of The New York Times gave it a rave review, stating that "Mr. McCarthy appears to have never read a screenwriting manual in his life [...] That's a compliment."
And that's the thing. The movie doesn't feel like a movie because it avoids so many of the formulas. Yes, it gets talky in a number of spots, but it's usually interesting stuff: McCarthy philosophizing about hope and love, peace, freedom, loyalty, and how all of that is bullshit and there's only hopelessness and despair.
I liked the movie. It felt different and engaged me. I liked seeing all these actors in their roles. Most critics single out Cameron Diaz as having the standout performance. It's a great role that she fills beautifully, and she's a whole lot of fun to watch. But I think Fassbender was even more impressive in his challenging role as the Counselor, requiring him to be both nuanced and far-reaching.
All in all, an engaging two hours. And I only had a few nightmares afterwards.
I'm nobody's pony.