The Counselor

Greed really takes you to the edge, doesn't it? To go that little bit further just to make a little more money, but at what cost.

 A lawyer, aka the Counselor, is facing this exact choice, and typical lawyer goes against his instincts and finds himself in a major drug trafficking job. His lovely soon to be wife Laura (Cruz) is almost oblivious to to her lovers (Fassbender) involvement, because really, how could you perfect man ever disappoint you. We are introduced to a few "business" associates, a guy who doesn't quite know what his accent is, Mr Reiner (Bardem) and a guy who won't be seen without his cowboy hat, Mr Westray (Pitt) who we soon find out are in on the deal too. But we can't forget one associate, the sexy blonde woman WITH brains AND an intriguing personality the beautiful miss Malkina. (Diaz) With the large amount of money he is about to receive, the Counselor buys Laura a very, very expensive diamond ring.

As there's never really any certainty in life, why would drug trafficking be any different?
His deal has just gone bust- the drugs have been stolen and the only link to the theft is a young male who the Counselor has just happened to bailed from jail. Ironic isn't it. And thus, the Counselor finds himself in a position which nobody wants to be. Turning to his "friends" (Reiner and Westray) for advice, it is apparent neither can or really wants to help the Counselor revert the situation. Instead, they reiterate their initial thoughts on the Counselors decision on entering the deal which leaves the audience thinking who is on whose side in this affair. 

The Counselor begins to worry. This is not a case in a court room, this is real life and real life has real consequences, which he is soon to find out. He has just screwed over the Cartel. Because as the amazing Malkina says, and I quote, "And the slaughter is probably beyond our imagining", which almost projects a million scenarios in our heads of what could possibly happen when their worst fears become a reality. The movie soon becomes a game of hide and seek which all the characters are playing, to say they are nervous is an understatement. But one person isn't nervous, nor is she afraid. The lovely Malkina manages to escape the dreaded game of hide seek, and by escape I mean sit outside and watch from the sidelines as the story unravels and we soon find out exactly what has happened to the "lost" drugs.

Meanwhile, poor Laura is left in the dark, worrying that she hasn't seen her lover in days. Her and the Counselor decide to come together, for both emotional and safety reasons and meet in a city which neither have ever been. Upon arriving at the airport, Laura is kidnapped by men in a black 4WD and taken away to a place no person, no woman would ever want to be. Have you heard of a "snuff film"?

We are taken back to Reiner, who is killed in a gunfight with the Cartel but thank god his two lovely pet cheetahs aren't harmed. Westray on the other hand has caught the first flight out of the country and seemingly escaped the situation also. He may have escaped the Cartel but has found himself running from someone else. Malkina, not only looks but brains too has lost money and wants it back one way or another. She has decided to pursue Westray, not sexually but violently and gets exactly what she wanted, as per usual. Westray is not so lucky. He finds himself having the worst death in the movie- one of those bits where you don't wanna look but you can't resist. 

And then we are then taken back to the Counselor. The man who decided to enter this world by his very own choice. He is having a chat with a person who I think aside from Malkina, says things which are worth listening to, telling the counselor that he is the world he created. Knowing the consequences of his actions but never expecting them. The counselor had everything, a lovely wife to be, money, job, respected but gave it all up for a little more. For greed as that's what greed is. And soon realising exactly what has happened to Laura, knowing he cannot do anything to change the past, the Counselor is left with grief. And grief ladies and gentlemen is worthless.


Rating: 7.5/10
Would recommend: Yes, if you're home wanting a movie where your 100% attention is required