Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

The Counselor

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for graphic violence, some grisly images, strong sexual content and language.

Reviewed by: Pamela Karpelenia
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Suspense Crime Thriller Drama
Length: 1 hr. 51 min.
Year of Release: 2013
USA Release: October 25, 2013 (wide—3,000+ theaters)
DVD: February 11, 2014
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Relevant Issues
Copyright, Twentieth Century Fox Film

drug trafficking in cocaine

sociopath

murder in the Bible

sin and the Bible, and the fall of man

fornication in the Bible

SEXUAL LUST—What does the Bible say about it? Answer

FILM VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families? Answer

Featuring Brad PittWestray
Michael FassbenderThe Counselor
Natalie Dormer … The Blonde
Penélope Cruz (Penelope Cruz) … Laura
Emma Rigby … Tony’s Girl
Dean Norris
Cameron DiazMalkina
Javier BardemReiner
John Leguizamo
Rosie PerezRuth
See all »
Director Ridley Scott — “Blade Runner,” “Alien,” “Prometheus,” “Black Hawk Down”
Producer Chockstone Pictures
Kanzaman
See all »
Distributor
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Trademark logo.
20th Century Studios
, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company

“Sin is a choice.”

The film opens with a narration by Cameron Diaz about choices and the darkness of man. We then meet The Counselor played by Michael Fassbender, in a graphic sexual encounter with his girlfriend Laura (Penélope Cruz). He then flies to meet a jeweler to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler then sells him what he calls a “cautionary diamond.” That in a nutshell sums up the entire picture.

I wanted to see this film based on the trailer and the actors involved. Bad Idea! All the great actors in the world could not turn this toad of a plot into a prince. Michael Fassbender’s’s acting is strong, but not strong enough. The rest of the actors get lost in the black hole that is the storyline.

Now to the discombobulation that is the objectionable content. First, this film has more blasphemies than swear words. The Lord’s Name is taken in vain, and Jesus Christ is the blasphemy of choice for this film, with nearly 50 utterances. It also contains a number vulgarities including F***, S***, and A**. There is much graphic sexual material, including mechanophilia. The violence is horrendous, from physical violence against men and women, to showing a decapitation. I couldn’t stomach it.

There is no redeeming value to this film. With the big names involved in this flick, I expected a plot, and a beginning, middle and an end. What I got was a disjointed, mish-mash showcasing the dark depravity of man. This films shows how much we as humans need a Savior. Genesis 6:5, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the Earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” To put it short, AVOID!

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Extreme

“VOTING” FOR BAD MOVIES—Every time you buy a movie ticket or rent a video you are casting a vote telling Hollywood “That’s what I want.” Why does Hollywood continue to promote immoral programming? Are YOU part of the problem? Answer

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Movie Critics
…a jaw-dropping misfire… The dialogue is laughably pretentious, the plotting is virtually nonexistent, and the performances are so broad and cartoony that you keep wondering if it's all some sort of prank. … [D+]
Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
…leaden, murky and hard to follow… Everyone's speech is awash in gaudy psycho-blather and Yoda-like observations. … [1½/4]
Claudia Puig, USA Today
…a high-end baffler… [2½/4]
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
…a ridiculous movie… pseudo-intellectual philosophy… blood, violence, greed, nihilism and horrific deaths for at least 70 percent of the characters. … [1½/4]
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
…a movie that, despite its strenuous efforts to appear hardened and sexy and sleek, is unforgivably phony, talky and dull. … [1½]
Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post
…simply not a very likable or gratifying film. In fact, it's a bummer. … What one is left with is a very bleak ending and an only slightly less depressing sense of the waste of a lot of fine talent both behind and in front of the camera.
Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter

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