If you like action thrillers, you won’t want to miss The Accountant. Ben Affleck is perfectly suited for his role as an autistic math genius who helps clients untangle complicated bookkeeping. It’s a legit business, sort of, except that his clients range from multimillion dollar corporations and governments to drug cartels and terrorists. One reason the film works so well is the amorality of the character, Chris Wolff; he has his own code, and it includes murder and mayhem when it comes to dealing with obstacles that get in the way of finishing his assignments. Another reason is the twisted plot, which weaves in and out of Wolff’s complicated childhood growing up as a special-needs child in an itinerant Army family. Best of all, though, is the subtle humor that comes from the character’s inability to connect with others. It doesn’t pander to cheap laughs, instead using Affleck’s deadpan expressions at the most inappropriate times to temper the violence. Anna Kendrick is perfect as a fellow math geek, and John Lithgow, as always, is fun to watch as a CEO who hires Wolff.
Should You See It? Yes! —D.W.
Viewed at Wehrenberg Ronnie’s 20 Cine