The Counselor

Author(s): Connor Campbell
Location: Carrollton, Texas

“The Counselor"

Directed by Cameron Crowe
Written by Cameron Crowe & Alan Ball

Principal Cast:

Annette Bening- Amy Carlson
Kevin Kline- Gary Carlson
Kim Basinger- Jamie Ellington
Bernadette Peters- Janice Murphy
Emily Browning- Kelsie Carlson
Liam Aiken- Christian Carlson
Lauren Graham- Nicky Purcell
Heather Graham- Brooke Hennessey
Doug Savant- Mark Simon
Mary Tyler Moore- Betty Strickland
And
John Goodman- Gary Goldsmith

Tagline: “When talking to teenagers about their problems, you can’t help but laugh your ass off” December 2007

Synopsis: Amy Carlson is the counselor at Forrest Pine Middle School. When the district decides to split Forrest Pine into two schools, everything changes. When her husband Gary gets dragged down the pavement by one of the family dogs, he is forced to be removed from his job as a floorer and become a supervisor, who is paid much less. Her daughter Kelsie is a senior in high school who has just come out of a nasty break-up. Her son Christian’s grades are slipping & is in his first real relationship. Her twin sister Jamie has recently discovered that her husband is cheating on her. Her other sister, Nicky is concerned that she isn’t a good mother. Her friend Janice is negative and her son just went off for college. Her co-worker Brooke has been engaged for three years and is finally getting married and treats it like a national holiday. Her gay friend Mark is thinking about coming out to his parents (the last people) but doesn’t know how. Gary is the principal of Forrest Pine middle school who is bitter and takes nothing seriously and is a dampener on every employee’s professionalism. This is the story of the last year of the Forrest Pine Middle School everyone is used to.

What the press would say:

This is a towering achievement! Cameron Crowe and Alan Ball have managed to write yet another masterpiece. Annette Bening is sensational! She captures Amy so well and gives her best performance since American Beauty. Kevin Kline gives a simply perfect performance as Gary. The scene where he is dragged by the dog is pee your pants funny and Kline pulls it off beautifully. Kim Basinger is absolutely fabulous as Jamie and is so heartwarming. A Near perfect performance. Bernadette Peters was perfect casting. She plays the bitter Janice without a flaw. Emily Browning & Liam Aiken, who are used to playing brother & sister (A Series of Unfortunate Events) and have maintained that convincing bond the two share. Lauren Graham wowed me with her portrayal of Nicky Purcell, the troubled mother. She gives her best performance ever, and I say that with confidence. Heather Graham plays the funniest character in the film and is spot on as the ditzy, marriage-obsessed Language Arts teacher who needs professional guidance that nobody seems to give her, other than Amy. Doug Savant gives a glowing performance as the homosexual Mark Simon. He is such a believable character and adds a lot to the story. Mary Tyler Moore appears as Amy, Jamie & Nicky’s mother Betty in a scene at Betty’s beach house and steals the scene. She has clearly shown that she is here to stay. We also see a lot of her in pone conversations with Amy. John Goodman is spectacular as Gary Goldsmith and adds a whole other level of comedy to this particularly dark film. Alan Ball & Cameron Crowe have managed to write one of the best screenplays in recent history. The story flows from Comedy to Drama with such ease. Cameron Crowe directs this beautifully made film with a touch no one else could. Thank you Cameron Crowe for directing my favorite film of the year. Thank you Alan Ball for teaming up with Cameron Crowe to write the best screenplay I’ve read in a long time. And thanks to the cast for not just reading what’s on the page. Thank you for being professional actors, which is seldom seen these days. I applaud this film and everyone involved. Thank you for an enjoyable film experience ****/****

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director- Cameron Crowe
Best Actress- Annette Bening
Best Actor- Kevin Kline
Best Supporting Actress- Kim Basinger
Best Supporting Actress- Bernadette Peters
Best Supporting Actress- Emily Browning
Best Supporting Actress- Lauren Graham
Best Supporting Actress- Heather Graham
Best Supporting Actress- Mary Tyler Moore
Best Supporting Actor- Liam Aiken
Best Supporting Actor- Doug Savant
Best Supporting Actor- John Goodman
Best Original Screenplay- Cameron Crowe & Alan Ball

*This bait is dedicated in loving memory of Robert Altman.*