THE ACCOUNTANT (R)
Released by Warner Brothers Pictures
Review by Adam Mast
Gavin O’Connor‘s THE ACCOUNTANT is overly complicated but for all the bloat, it still emerges as a heck of a fun time at the movies. It sort of plays like RAIN MAN with fighting and guns!
In THE ACCOUNTANT, Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a mild mannered mathematician who’s accounting skills make him one of the most sought after individuals in the business. But what most folks don’t realize is that this high functioning autistic possesses another specific set of skills. Skills that make him as deadly as he is smart.
Again, there’s a whole lot going on in THE ACCOUNTANT. Perhaps too much. There’s a back story dealing with Wolff and his stern, disciplinary father (Robert C. Treveiler), a subplot involving J.K. Simmons’ official and his hiring of a skilled individual with a past (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) in an effort to track down Wolff, a secret at the heart of a reputable medical technology corporation, a potential romance between Wolff and a bubbly fellow accountant (Anna Kendrick), and a plot thread revolving around a thug for hire (played by a charismatic Jon Bernthal.)
The majority of these threads do come together but some are given more attention than others and in the end, it’s all a little too conveniently pat. It should also be noted that there are plenty of twists in THE ACCOUNTANT. Some are predictable and others stretch the bounds of credibility, but none of this stuff takes away from what is, by and large, an entertaining if a tad long-winded movie.
At the heart of THE ACCOUNTANT is an oddly endearing performance by Affleck. He’s likable, he’s funny, and he’s disarming as a socially disconnected individual who ultimately finds himself smitten with a woman who shares common interests. Affleck is a ton of fun here and where his Christian Wolff is concerned, it’s all about the tiny nuances. Watch how nonchalantly Wolff reacts to those around him after skillfully taking out the bad guys.
THE ACCOUNTANT also features a roster of solid supporting players including John Lithgow, Jean Smart, J.K. Simmons, Andy Umberger, Addair-Robinson, Treveiler, and a charming Kendrick in the kind of adorable role we’ve seen her play before. As strong as the supporting cast is, it’s Bernthal who shines brightest as a professional killer with a lot on his mind. He was great as Shane in “The Walking Dead”…He was great as The Punisher in “Daredevil” Season 2…And he’s great as Brax in THE ACCOUNTANT.
O’Connor (MIRACLE) is a terrific director and he does the best he can with Bill Dubuque’s overstuffed script. For all its twists, subplots, and extensive final act exposition, perhaps what’s most telling about THE ACCOUNTANT is that it’s really a movie about family, some of it of the dysfunctional kind. In that regard, while it may not seem like it at a surface level, THE ACCOUNTANT has quite a bit in common with O’Connor’s rousing sports film, WARRIOR.
Yes, THE ACCOUNTANT has it’s imperfections but it still offers up plenty of entertainment value. In fact, while I do get tired of all of Hollywood’s endless franchise building, I have to admit: I’d be down for further Christian Wolff adventures. Ben’s life long buddy Matt Damon found his franchise love in the BOURNE series. Affleck may have found his own in the form of Christian Wolff.
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