See it at the Movies

THE ACCOUNTANT

By Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 10/20/16

* * * * (Joyce)

* * * 1/2 (Don)

(Thriller with unusual “hero”)

Ben Affleck plays Chris, an autistic accountant with a troubled past, secret present and what turns out to be an exciting, …

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See it at the Movies

THE ACCOUNTANT

Posted

* * * * (Joyce)

* * * 1/2 (Don)

(Thriller with unusual “hero”)

Ben Affleck plays Chris, an autistic accountant with a troubled past, secret present and what turns out to be an exciting, dangerous future.

Chris runs his small one-man firm out of a strip mall, where his unique ability with numbers saves his clients lots of money. He also leads a secret life, involving huge, shady clients, where his genius uncovers some very nasty business.

We learn about his difficult childhood with a military father who pushes him and his brother, leaving mental scars that stay with him as he uses his wits and his marksmanship to wipe out some very nasty guys. It’s a clever story that goes on for over two hours, always holding your interest and leaving you to wonder what will possibly happen next.

I had problems with a couple of plot twists that were real stretches, but Joyce had her usual approach of “Hey, this is fiction. Live with it!”

Affleck succeeds in making his autistic side so real. It is fun to watch Anna Kendrick’s Dana, a young, nervous accountant, get to know and understand him.

J.K. Simmons, that wonderful character actor who can play anything, is great as the FBI agent trying to track Chris down before he retires. His reason is a bit of a stretch, but as Joyce says, “Go with it.”

John Lithgow makes a great bad guy, along with a supporting role from Jeffrey Tambor.

We both liked the movie for a number of reasons, including its look inside the mind of an autistic man who learns to live with his difference. Add an interesting if a times far-fetched story and great acting to the mix, and “The Accountant” becomes good entertainment.

Rated R with some profanity and a lot of violence.

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