Read Mixed User Reviews for The Accountant

6

DubeauJul 3, 2017

The Accountant is not that bad actually. The story is pretty good maybe more a family story and inquiry. It has some holes and unresolved mysteries. The actions scenes are pretty good. You can see that Affleck tried something different, andThe Accountant is not that bad actually. The story is pretty good maybe more a family story and inquiry. It has some holes and unresolved mysteries. The actions scenes are pretty good. You can see that Affleck tried something different, and it works better at times then others. He got good actors around him. One of those rare movies that depict and show a sickness in children. If it is true in that sens is for you to judge but the film is watchable and interesting. I would say it's more influence by John Wick then the Bourne movies in terms of actions. I give it a 65%… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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5

GreatMartinOct 15, 2016

At the beginning of “The Accountant” we see an autistic boy faced with a jigsaw puzzle and most of the film is a puzzle with the majority of pieces fitting together but with a few missing or not the right size.

Christian Wolff (BenAt the beginning of “The Accountant” we see an autistic boy faced with a jigsaw puzzle and most of the film is a puzzle with the majority of pieces fitting together but with a few missing or not the right size.

Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is the older of two boys brought up by a military, strict father (Robert C. Treveiler) who recognizes the math genius of the older boy and that the younger son (Jon Bernthal) will have to watch over him. The father has the boys trained in the martial arts and weapons to such an extent that Christian is as good as an assassin as he is a mathematician and he wants both boys to know what their limits are. One of the missing pieces is that their mother leaves them with the father never explaining why she left.

Along the way we meet J.K. Simmons as a Treasury agent who blackmails a member of his team, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, to find out Wolff’s connection to some high connected cartel dealers, Jeffrey Tambor as a prisoner, Anna Kendrick as an accountant who works for Living Robotics where she has uncovered that $70 million is missing and John Lithgow who runs the company brings in Wolff to work with her to find out who took the money. If Wolff was capable of expressing human feelings she would be the one to bring them out in him but he isn’t and she doesn’t except for one surprising gesture. Jean Smart’s role is one of those ‘if you blink you will miss her’ neither adding or taking away from the film and one of those jigsaw pieces that just don’t fit.

Christian Wolff is as quick and accurate with all kinds of weapons as Batman is and as sharp with mathematical problems as any genius, whose names he uses for aliases, with numbers can be. Whether he is shooting/killing a gang of guys or working on 15 years of a company’s books looking for an embezzler he is always socially awkward, stoic, unsmiling, nonexpressive and, unintentionally funny. Ben Affleck does a fine job as a nerd and hero combined.

Some of the jigsaw fitted pieces at the end didn’t quite explain all that had taken place in the past but then that is what sequels are for and the Director Gavin O’Connor and screenwriter Bill Dubuque might have already have the storyboard ready the “The Account: Adding a Chapter”.

Though the middle of the film is a typical Hollywood action film the first and last half hours make it interesting enough to hold your attention.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

handjiveOct 16, 2016

Meh. The premise of this flick seems drawn from a bargain bin comic book (excuse me, I meant so say graphic novel). Some heroes get their powers from a radioactive spider bite, while others get theirs from Asperger's syndrome and martial artsMeh. The premise of this flick seems drawn from a bargain bin comic book (excuse me, I meant so say graphic novel). Some heroes get their powers from a radioactive spider bite, while others get theirs from Asperger's syndrome and martial arts training from a domineering jar head father. In truth though, the over-complicated "Wolffe" character (Ben Affleck) is more similar to a tongue-in-cheek hero like the "The Tick" than it is Spiderman. Affleck's deadpan performance is the core of the movie. He uses a monotone voice and generally flat affect to create some very dark humor (bang!) and, conveniently, to accidentally charm the cute young character played by Anna Kendrick (also good in her limited role). Setting aside the implausibility of the main character, the trouble with the movie is it is 90% back-story and 10% plot. And that cursory plot (financial intrigue at Lithgow's robot company) is as exciting as a bag of sand. All told, the flick establishes a quirky character and set of colleagues plainly designed to populate a series of sequels. I walked away feeling like I had paid to see Part One of a two part story. And Part 2 threatens to include even more tedious exposition to explain why the character is not only so proficient but also so deplorable. Presumably the plot in Part Two will involve another financial puzzle and include another gee-whiz scene wherein Wolffe solves the mystery with his accounting genius. And probably even more hard sell on the ins and outs of Asperger's syndrome. I can wait.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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5

EpicLadySpongeOct 14, 2016

Ben Affleck tries and tries, but unfortunately, his latest attempt to outshine his performance to the audience once again fails, but this time, this film is slightly better than his role in his previous film. The Accountant just tries to aimBen Affleck tries and tries, but unfortunately, his latest attempt to outshine his performance to the audience once again fails, but this time, this film is slightly better than his role in his previous film. The Accountant just tries to aim specifically at a place it never attempts to go instead of showing the spotlight to the audience like what movies normally do as a matter of fact. May take a while to get used to whatever's on the screen.… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

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6

BikerjamesOct 17, 2016

Ben Affleck does his version of Jason Stathom/Clint Eastwood's persona of the quiet emotionless man who is all action. He does it well. In this case, there is a reason for his personality, he has Autism. I enjoyed most of the film, but theBen Affleck does his version of Jason Stathom/Clint Eastwood's persona of the quiet emotionless man who is all action. He does it well. In this case, there is a reason for his personality, he has Autism. I enjoyed most of the film, but the ridiculous final battle with the "twist" ending ruined the film for me. I won't give it away but the odds of this event happening are astronomical. There are some unanswered questions in the film as well, such as "who is the mysterious lady on the phone who gives him his instructions?", but I supposed they will get answered in the inevitable sequels.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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5

HfahmyOct 28, 2016

Non serious scenario. Hollow plot. The movie starts promising but ends up boring with many non compreshensible events. Ben Afleck had a mediocre role, a superhero that couldn't actually be. The somehow better acting was for CinthiaNon serious scenario. Hollow plot. The movie starts promising but ends up boring with many non compreshensible events. Ben Afleck had a mediocre role, a superhero that couldn't actually be. The somehow better acting was for Cinthia Addai-Robinson. A let down movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

SpangleFeb 19, 2017

If I were Gavin O'Connor, I would get down on my knees everyday and thank the good Lord that He allowed me to make Warrior. For if it were not for Warrior, he would be one of the most bland and consistently average directors working inIf I were Gavin O'Connor, I would get down on my knees everyday and thank the good Lord that He allowed me to make Warrior. For if it were not for Warrior, he would be one of the most bland and consistently average directors working in Hollywood today. His resume is also bolstered when viewed alongside that of Peter Berg or David Ayer. That said, The Accountant is just fine. It is a modern day action thriller that screams of O'Connor having finished a viewing of Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive and thought to himself, "What if the whole movie had the level of tension of the opening heist in that film and my autistic assassin actually talked a bit?" The end result is The Accountant, a film that passes the test and delivers good entertainment, but is hardly brilliant and is maligned by major problems. In essence, this is not a film requiring a forensic accountant. Anybody can plainly see the faults lying beneath the heart of this film.

To the film's credit, however, it is incredibly thrilling. The action is modern and stylish. It is silent, precise, and well-choreographed. Ben Affleck's Christian Wolff is autistic and a savant when it comes to accounting and putting a bullet between a man's eyes. As a result, the kills are thrilling and simply cool. For action junkies or the general public that is merely looking for a good action thriller, The Accountant more than delivers. It is no surprise it has become a champion of the people and made a lot of money at the box office. For a bloody action thriller, it is palatable and easy to digest. It does not entertain a higher purpose beyond advocating for people with autism. It is smart, well-plotted, and delivers the goods when it comes to action and thrills. O'Connor may not be a good director, but he knows his way around an action sequence and shows it here. With constant one-liners and a distant hero that is against the system, comparisons to old school 1980s action movies are incredibly fair. Wolff goes about his business professionally and without fanfare. It is all a matter of fact. He is an easy killer to support because he kills bad men out for themselves, while seeking revenge for those they harm. In essence, he fights for the common man, real salt of the Earth people, and loves his family. The only thing separating him from the average American is he has autism and kills people with precision.

Sadly, the film is maligned with odd transactions. To the film's debit, it is incredibly contrived. Introducing us to federal agent Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), she is threatened with being thrown into jail for lying on her applicatio if she does not find the accountant's true identity within a month by boss Raymond King (J.K. Simmons). Throughout the film, we see her figure out information on Wolff, following mere plot coincidences and contrivances. The most egregious being when she is searching for men that fit her suspect's description and randomly selects a man who does not meet the description, looks into his business, and all the businesses in the same plaza. Slowly, she realizes it is her man: the accountant. How convenient. With no evidence pointing to that fact until the hand of God guides her down the right path, Medina find her man. But oh wait, she did not need to. King knew it all because he had been in contact with the accountant forever, tracked him before, and could seemingly care less who he is and what he does, in spite of pretending to care earlier in the film. It is as if O'Connor changed his mind halfway through and decided that King should work with Wolff, not against him. Ignoring how cliche that is, it is a convenient way to avoid conflict between the government and Wolff, which would make him a bad guy in the eyes of the same general public audience the film was trying to appeal to throughout. Sadly, the fact that the investigation by Medina was pointless, all of the treasury department scenes are useless. Neither King nor Medina add anything to the film beyond another character and supposed depth. In reality, it is bloat, highlighting how overlong this mindless action thriller truly is.

The film punishes the audience further with useless melodrama and backstory on Christian. Used to show how good of a person he is and how important family is to him, the scenes honestly go nowhere. From his mother's funeral, training, and reuniting with his brother, the whole thing is so contrived and oddly manipulative. Once more, it contributes to the film's bloat, not adding depth. The scenes feel useless and exposition heavy for a film that demonstrates its willingness to use its typically silent protagonist as an exposition machine when the plot demands some explanation. Sadly, despite all the bloat, O'Connor never found a use for Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick). Why get Anna Kendrick if all she is there for is to look good and say some bad lines that are going to be used in the trailer? She never even kisses Affleck in the film.… Expand

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6

sanyrubApr 27, 2017

Enjoyable film perfect for a nowadays very toned Ben Affleck and his not so great acting skills. The film is more appealing and feels fresher than expected. Very nice action and shooting scenes. It kind of keeps the mistery for the entireEnjoyable film perfect for a nowadays very toned Ben Affleck and his not so great acting skills. The film is more appealing and feels fresher than expected. Very nice action and shooting scenes. It kind of keeps the mistery for the entire film. A good secondary cast makes the film have enough punch. It´s not a crazy good or innovative piece of cinema so I give it a good 6/10. Definitely enjoyable.… Expand

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5

oDjentoOct 25, 2016

This film is kinda an enjoyably bad movie. Ben Affleck is decent in his role and the first main portion of the film has you pretty interested in what's going on. Then all of a sudden the thriller aspect of the film gets snuffed away fromThis film is kinda an enjoyably bad movie. Ben Affleck is decent in his role and the first main portion of the film has you pretty interested in what's going on. Then all of a sudden the thriller aspect of the film gets snuffed away from itself due to the film being so blunt and abrupt in its story telling. It seemed that at one moment the writers said "you know what this script needs? More J.K. Simmons!" (Which don't get me wrong he's an awesome actor) and therefore let him give about 10 minutes of straight exposition. The film gets too melodramatic and silly towards the end and the final action scene doesn't feel as satisfying as previous ones, along with the guns in this film - especially in the last section - being obnoxiously loud. Overall the film is actually enjoyable enough to watch as a silly thriller that also has some laughs, but it's sloppy writing lets it down.
Should you see this film? Well if you do i don't believe you will have thought you'd wasted your time but you will probably come out knowing it was a badly made movie, yet you'll probably have a little smile on your face.

5/10… Expand

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4

kathytreeceOct 27, 2016

I have only met one accountant who had the physique of Ben Affleck. There was a lot of action and plot twists in this movie. For me, there was too much killing, and not enough laughs. I expect this movie will have sequels.

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6

Rebecca31Nov 5, 2016

This movie was as boring as its title, a good story that was dragged out into an endless parade of awkward conversations, long pauses, action and more awkward conversations. There's some decent moments and it's got a great cast but that'sThis movie was as boring as its title, a good story that was dragged out into an endless parade of awkward conversations, long pauses, action and more awkward conversations. There's some decent moments and it's got a great cast but that's about it. Underwhelming and should have been better, so I'd recommend it if you've nothing better to do.… Expand

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6

AproxxAug 20, 2018

Ok. It wasn't in tears, but I felt surprised about how sweet the movie ends up being.

The movie is not complicated at all. Its pretty straight. A simple action/crime story (with an insane amount of suspension of disbelief needed). WhatOk. It wasn't in tears, but I felt surprised about how sweet the movie ends up being.

The movie is not complicated at all. Its pretty straight. A simple action/crime story (with an insane amount of suspension of disbelief needed).

What makes it better than mediocre for me is the cinematography and the editing. A simple story like this one could've dragged without a proper editing helping to entertain in the more mundane parts.

Don't expect complicated storytelling and you'll be satisfied… Expand

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4

eva3si0nSep 13, 2017

The usual thriller in which everything is blurted out at the average level. The plot is boring, but it is tried to be given most seriously and thoughtfully. Also the story is kept asynchronously. Screenwriters have obviously changed inThe usual thriller in which everything is blurted out at the average level. The plot is boring, but it is tried to be given most seriously and thoughtfully. Also the story is kept asynchronously. Screenwriters have obviously changed in Christopher Nolan. In general the movie would turn out much worse if the leading role wasn't played by Ben Affleck. He pulls on himself all movie. What is strange, the cast isn't bad. The plot just turns rubbish when the rat in the company becomes clear. Totally ludicrous. Cinema on once.… Expand

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5

TrevorsViewDec 9, 2016

This is it: we finally get a well-needed theatrical depiction of a man with ASD in The Accountant. But how does it work in shining positive light on Autism? Well, let’s see…

Right from the first scene, a murder is setup to make us wonder,This is it: we finally get a well-needed theatrical depiction of a man with ASD in The Accountant. But how does it work in shining positive light on Autism? Well, let’s see…

Right from the first scene, a murder is setup to make us wonder, “What’s happening? Who killed who? Will we get our answers before this film is over?” Then it follows with one of the most stressful ways to begin a movie I have ever seen: A boy diagnosed with autism solves a Muhammad Ali jigsaw puzzle upside-down and goes uncontrollably berserk when he loses a puzzle piece. In that meantime, his parents are discussing with a psychologist about his future. His US Veteran father believes that his son needs maximum exposure to what triggers his sensitivity, as it prepares him for the noisy reality ahead of him.

So now, as a grown up, played by Ben Affleck, this Aspie’s nightly routine involves cranking his sensory exposure past its limit with strobe lights, loud music, and self-pain inflicted on his leg with a rolling pin. These sequences feel stressful enough, but it’s what he does outside his home that raises concerns.

He accepts a job at a corporation to perform intensive calculations of fifteen ledgers in order to calculate the business of their profits. It’s an intriguing scene that shines spectacular light on what autism can do, but what he does with this information will just as quickly discourage you. This man secretly uses these statistics to acquire money through tax evasion that he stores in his trailer, mercilessly putting a bullet to the head on everybody who gets in his way.

As he goes to avoid getting exposed for his crimes, he also develops a predictable romance with a coworker played by the overrated actress Anna Kendrick. Let me tell you, she got lucky with her Academy Award nomination for Up in the Air, but I cannot think of any role of hers, especially this one, where she put even a hint of effort or care into the part she was playing. Her so-called on screen chemistry with the bored-looking Ben Affleck here only makes her screen presence all the more depressing.

But back to the autistic criminal (wow, never thought I’d use those two words together); as he goes from accountant to tax robber, an investigation takes place elsewhere in Chicago from the perspective of an analyst who is investigating this case to avoid jail time. At first, this subplot adds nothing to the main plot, they are arranged in an inappropriate pattern by editor Richard Pearson (Quantum of Solace, United 93), who interrupts a scene mid-way with a completely unrelated scene.

Overall, this subplot is necessary, but has no sense of craft or flavor to make me want to care about the investigation. That is, until her boss, played by J.K. Simmons, tells his backstory that provides the needed glue to paste the film back together.

If somebody instantly familiar with autism were to watch this loud movie and see one of the few on-screen portrayals of a man on the spectrum, would they be pleased or disgusted?

Yes. As somebody on the spectrum myself, I am pleased to see all the truths said about autism: this accountant is full of sensitivity, makes little eye contact, is blunt in conversation, has the utensils in his drawer arranged in a specific way, and is an expert at gun-aiming. Yet at the same time, he uses his skills in numbers and attention to upfront the law. He disproves his father’s fears that he would be taken advantage of by utilizing of his own skills as a means of acquiring money for himself, leading to intense killings of those who are far worse than he is. It’s addressed that he’s doing wrong in these acts, but is he ever punished for his crimes? Well, without giving anything away, no. He is not rightfully punished for his crimes.

While The Accountant may prove how autism is capable in an insensitive world, it still treats the disorder as a plot device for the sake of the main conflict’s progression, while at the same time encouraging the use of skills to prove the political system wrong.… Expand

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6

ReginthornOct 25, 2016

The Accountant is an interesting movie for good and bad reasons. The film begins with a generic thriller/action film sequence and then dramatically switches to a day in the life of an autistic man. For those unaware, the Accountant is about aThe Accountant is an interesting movie for good and bad reasons. The film begins with a generic thriller/action film sequence and then dramatically switches to a day in the life of an autistic man. For those unaware, the Accountant is about a man who is hired to look over the books of shady organizations. Oh, and our accountant protagonist happens to have military grade training. The messages (there are a lot of vague ones) in the film are easily missed with very little context. The film takes on the air of hoping viewers are able to fill in the weakly linked blanks. As far as my understanding goes, the portrayal of autism is a mixed bag. Ben Affleck may be wrestling with his inner demons brought out by sensory overload one moment, yet have an almost comedically awkward social interaction in the next. The latter parts are scenes where I was unsure if they were intended to be humorous. I certainly laughed a lot. However, on a bright note, the film feels very uncomfortable with labels. I really appreciated how the film simply stated the character is different and not a helpless victim of circumstance. Flashbacks involve the grimmer scenes of the movie. Affleck’s character is most influenced by his father and yet the relationship is never clearly explored. In short, the movie struggles in honing down a tone. I don’t even want to get into the ill-conceived brother reconciliation subplot. Plus, on a side note, the overall narrative is oddly structured like a superhero origin movie. The cast features an array of talent from John Lithgow to Ana Kendrick. All of the acting is top notch and by far the strongest element. Having said that, the director’s strengths clearly lie in the action sequences. The precise nature of the protagonist adds a surprising satisfactory element to the gunplay found throughout the film. If the actors weren’t talented, the film would easily be unwatchable after the first hour. In today's movie climate, the parts that work easily outshine the many bad components found in the film. If you appreciate seeing something different being attempted, then I heartily recommend the Accountant!… Expand

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6

MasterRileyOct 8, 2018

The Accountant has good performances, action, and a cool twist at the end. Otherwise I found the plot to be pretty bland and uninteresting.

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5

zNeverSleepingJun 23, 2020

Não é um filme ruim, porém tinha um potencial muito maior.

Fica bem claro, no primeiro arco do filme, que o intuito do diretor é alcançar um publico amplo, no sentido de que mesmo abordando temas complexos como distúrbios mentais, o mesmoNão é um filme ruim, porém tinha um potencial muito maior.

Fica bem claro, no primeiro arco do filme, que o intuito do diretor é alcançar um publico amplo, no sentido de que mesmo abordando temas complexos como distúrbios mentais, o mesmo perde a oportunidade de apresentar uma direção autoral - buscando um ponto de vista mais único da cabeça do personagem, por exemplo. Muito pelo contrario: aqui tudo é explicado, fazendo com que ninguém se perca no filme, mesmo que não esteja prestando atenção. O problema mesmo é que essas explicações não se limitam apenas a trama, mas também ao próprio protagonista. Considero um fracasso que se force tanto uma personalidade autista, como nos primeiros minutos de tela do Ben Affleck, e depois venha nos explicar que ele é autista. Oras, já não estava bem na cara?!

O enredo demora um pouco para "decolar", mas prende até o fim. O relacionamento com alguns personagens é meio estranho, como Wolf e Dana. O filme não parece se preocupar muito em construir uma base solida para a relação. Uma coincidência por parte dos pais e uma historia de vida já pareceram suficiente para um antissocial arriscar a vida por ela. Não achei que Affleck lidou bem com o papel - Claro que o roteiro não ajudou muito, mas ele não é carismático ou profundo o suficiente para levar o personagem nos seus momentos de tensão. Fora que seu semblante é muito... morto. J. K. Simmons realmente chamou minha atenção aqui, lindando muito bem com seu papel. Jon Bernthal não foge do seu padrão, mas nisso ele é excelente e é inegável.… Expand

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6

DawdlingPoetNov 22, 2021

I enjoyed this film - the plot seemed quite well thought out, its relatively thought provoking and not just full of action scenes, although there are some quite good action scenes as well. Its by no means a stuffy film, although you could beI enjoyed this film - the plot seemed quite well thought out, its relatively thought provoking and not just full of action scenes, although there are some quite good action scenes as well. Its by no means a stuffy film, although you could be excused for assuming it might be given the title - I think its fair to say that accountants aren't generally expected to have esp. interesting lives but this one in particular certainly does.

Its not entirely original, as there have been a particularly high number of films out in the last 5-10 years about greed incl. corporate greed. It features a decent cast with Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick and John Lithgow - the stand out performance in my eyes being from Anna Kendrick - her character, Dana Cummings, intrigued me. I enjoyed the plot development and thought it was one of the better action/thriller films I've seen recently, so I'd recommend it on that basis.… Expand

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6

geewahJan 23, 2021

Not bad, not great.
The movie should of gone harder on the nerdier aspects of this flick, rather than go down the shoot'em up path of the final 1/3.

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