The Counselor is expertly, though not amazingly, filmed. The cast does not disappoint, all play their roles quite well, none of them simply show up. The dialogue and plot have both their strong and weak points. The dialogue is erratic. At times it is very fresh and captivating but it can also sound stilted and go on too long (i.e. lines that work in a novel but not on the big screen). The overall length is about fifteen minutes too long. Many scenes need a trim and the film continues well past its dramatic climax to the point where it no longer is a story about the main character. But all-in-all, the strengths of the Counselor outweigh the weaknesses and the film is a refreshing change from the usual.

3.5 / 5.0