The Counseloris widely regarded asone of Ridley Scott’s worst-ever movies, yet amid the mediocrity, one scene stands out as perhaps the most shocking of his entire career.Based on a script by acclaimed author Cormac McCarthy and featuring an impressive ensemble of acting talent, the movie’s failure wasn’t immediately obvious. However, while critical responses were generally scathing, no one can deny that one scene in the largely forgotten thriller remains completely bizarre 11 years later.
A dense and philosophical crime thriller,The Counseloris as messy as it is violent. The film stars Michael Fassbender as a lawyer, who becomes embroiled in a drug deal gone wrong, with dire consequences for him and everyone around him. Alongside Fassbender as the eponymous “Counselor”, the movie also features Penelope Cruz as his love interest, Javier Bardem as unscrupulous businessman Reiner, and Cameron Diaz as his treacherous girlfriend, Malkina. While the movie has failed to establish much of a legacy,one scene involving Malkina and Reiner has become deservedly infamous.
The Counselor Includes Cameron Diaz Having Sex With A Car
The Moment Is Shocking In The Context Of Scott’s Career
In one of the most jarring moments ofRidley Scott’s movie career,The Counselorfeatures a scene where Cameron Diaz becomes intimate with Javier Bardem’s car. The scene is told via flashback, with Bardem’s character relaying the incident to The Counselor. Jumping between the two time periods, Reiner reveals in minute detail how Malkina drives the vehicle to a secluded spot on a golf course, takes off her underwear, gets on top of the windscreen, and rubs against the glass while he watches in amazement.
As one of the most striking visual directors of all time…Scott is capable of creating memorable cinematic moments.
Considering that this moment comes within the context of what is ostensibly a crime thriller, coupled with the utter strangeness of the act itself, the scene is a shocking interlude in what is an otherwise forgettable movie.As one of the most striking visual directors of all time, capable of bringing astonishingly vivid landscapes to life in movies likeBlade Runner, Scott is capable of creating memorable cinematic moments. However, for sheer wildness,The Counselor’s car scene probably ranks as one of themost unique scenes in any Ridley Scott movie.
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The Counselor’s Bizarre Cameron Diaz Scene Couldn’t Save The Movie
There Were Too Many Problems To Counter
As startling asThe Counselor’s Cameron Diaz scene is, the rest of the film is sadly much less impactful.The movie received broadly negative reviews from critics, with most taking issue with its ponderous pacing, portentous dialog, and pretentious tone. As theRotten Tomatoescritical consensus explains, “The Counselor raises expectations with its talented cast and creative crew—then subverts them with a wordy and clumsy suspense thriller that’s mercilessly short on suspense or thrills.” Within this context, one arresting scene was never going to be enough.
PerRotten Tomatoes, only 34% of reviews were positive
Although some critics responded well to the movie, the general consensus was negative. PerRotten Tomatoes, only 34% of reviews were positive.While the movie was a modest financial success (generating $71 million at the box office against a $25 million budget),The Counseloris widely regarded as less than the sum of its parts. Given the scale of its problems, it would always have taken more than one vehicular intercourse scene to save it.
