Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

The Accountant (2016)

Directed by Gavin O'Connor

Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal

Author

Well-structured, seriously and methodically and efficiently told, with carefully constructed flashbacks revealing character and the motivations for the story, obviously written by someone who knows a lot about the legalities of corporate accounting. This feels literary, almost Grisham-y.

Affleck plays a character that’s a mix of Raymond Babbitt and Jason Bourne. Affleck is not annoying. He’s almost believable and even, at times, chilling. He might make a great villain someday, if he’s willing to give it a shot. Simmons is great, though the supporting role isn’t quite meaty enough to merit Oscar consideration. Would have love to see more sexual tension between him and Kendrick, because they just grazed the surface there. They could have done a better job with the casting of his brother, as the young and older actors bear almost no physical resemblance.

Plot question: How did Wolff find out so quickly who is trying to kill him and Dana? And could someone with autism, someone who doesn’t pick up social cues and has trouble with subtleties, really be as ruthless and cunning and slick as he is? I wonder if there’s ever been someone like him in real life.

Great fight and action sequences.

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