THE ACCOUNTANT

ACTION PACKED THRILLER

Film Review by Fiore 

THE ACCOUNTANT, the latest endeavor from Director Gavin O’Connor starring Ben Affleck, is a most excellent thriller, with quality performances and a new lease on life for CPAs and autistic children.  The film contains a marvelous blend of action and humor, sprinkled with just enough drama to make it one of the better Fall releases.

The film’s most notable element is its score.  Mark Isham, who continues to be one of Hollywood’s busiest musicians, has been performing yeoman work his three previous films, but he bursts forth to high pinnacles on THE ACCOUNTANT.  It’s a sweeping and rousing score very reminiscent of the ones that dominated thrillers produced during Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Christian Wolff is an autistic child with a savant aptitude for mathematics.  His father is a military professional and will not accept his son’s disorder as a handicap.  He trains Chris with strict disciplined training, including self-defense techniques and shooting abilities.  His training lands him in jail for a short time, where he befriends Francis Silverberg, played by Jeffrey Tambor.  Silverberg is a master bookkeeper for the syndicate and he teaches Chris all he knows about ‘cooking’ books.  These traits make Chris highly desirable by various government agencies.  

His latest adventure concerns accounting mismanagement with LivingRobotics, a company headed by Lamar Black, played by John Lithgow.  The company makes prosthetics for the handicapped and has myriad government contracts as well.  When key personnel are murdered during his investigation, Chris discovers Lamar is faced with more than a book keeping error.

KEY SCENES TO LOOK FOR:

1.      CONFRONTATION IN DANA’S APARTMENT

2.      THE BELT FIGHT

3.      THE HOUSE RAID

There are major heavyweights behind the camera for THE ACCOUNTANT.  They include Seamus McGarvey as Cinematographer and Richard Pearson as Film Editor.  McGarvey is best known for his work on PAN and with Gareth Edwards on GODZILLA.  Pearson is currently working on KONG: SKULL ISLAND.  He is best known for his work on DRACULA UNTOLD and MALEFICENT and the James Bond adventure QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

THE ACCOUNTANT is a tad long, running just over two hours.  There are several segments that drag, and one could easily lay the blame at Pearson’s door; however, the scenes do help develop characters and re-emphasize Chris’ condition. 

 

Screenwriter Bill Dubuque has penned a gripping tale, though the money laundering ploy is rather complicated and while I understood the gist of the scam, I don’t think its ramifications have the proper gravitas.

With these few minor foibles aside, THE ACCOUNTANT will provide a most excellent evening out, with a very buff Affleck for the ladies and action galore in the form of realistic martial arts and .50 caliber firepower.  As Neil Diamond would say:  "Pack up the baby and grab the old lady" and plan date night.  THE ACCOUNTANT fits the bill.

THE GRADE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT = A