Review of The Accountant (2016) by Velo B — 16 Jun 2017

I am a huge fan of the action genre and enjoyed enormously the action- packed second half of the film, but The Accountant is much more than that. The story is absolutely amazing. It should touch everyone who appreciates intelligent writing and although revolving around the challenges autistic people experience to adapt to the world, it should uplift the spirits of everyone who is "different" and struggles to be accepted!

Christian Wolff is a man with high-functioning autism. One of the characteristics of HFA is the exceptionally high IQ. Individuals with HFA often have difficulties in areas of communication, expression, and social interaction. That is the case with Chris. His father, a military psychologist, afraid that his autistic son may be taken advantage of, decides to prepare him for the world by putting him through strenuous military style-martial arts training and exposing him to everything which Chris has difficulties coping with.

Tough and at times flawed fatherly love but gives results and Christian becomes independent, self-sufficient man. He decides to put in good use his extraordinary capabilities in math and begins to work as forensic accountant for some of the scariest people on earth - cartel, mafia bosses, e.t.c. The big money he earns, he donates to support Harbor Neuroscience Institute in New Hampshire, research facility dedicated to Autism. How he gets out alive from working for his criminal clientele and how he escapes CIA hunt for him, I won't give away. You will see in the film.

A subtle and poignant romantic subplot is expertly interwoven in the plot. When Chris is hired by Living Robotics corporation to audit their books, he falls for Dana Cummings, in-house accountant who has discovered suspicious financial discrepancies. Chris quickly finds that substantial amount of funds is missing due to embezzlement. From that point an impressive body count begins, which leads to the climax with triumphant showdown. There is a scene in this subplot that is profoundly moving and memorable. While Dana is sleeping, Chris writes a little card to say good bye to her. He longs for her love, but the words of his dad echo in his mind: "Sooner or later "different" scares people. You are different." Chris shuts the door slowly and the image of Dana segue in black as his dream is shuttered by reality!

Ben Affleck is tremendous as the autistic Christian. He builds his character to perfection. Anna Kendrick is lovely as Dana and child- actor Seth Lee, who plays young Chris is a nice surprise.

The soundtrack is mesmerizing. I can listen to it all day long and will not get bored for a second.

The Accountant is simply superb film and I recommend it without hesitation.