The Accountant

Who is The Accountant? He’s an untrained yet highly effective Jason Bourne with autism (or an autistic if you ask someone in the anti-cure camp). Unfortunately, he is a less smartly-written character in a less exciting setting, and a completely stereotypical portrayal of someone with the neurological difference with quite a few blatant irregularities.

“The Accountant” is more of an autism awareness public service announcement and a commendable advertisement for the obvious joy that comes with an exciting career in accounting than it is a thriller, or a real action film. You see, the film lacks real teeth because it gets too bogged down trying to be clever and different. The attempt at character depth overshadows what could be a pretty fun shoot-em-up, or a terse thriller. It inevitably fails quite noticeably at both.

A predictable twist that is as improbable as it is lackluster leading to an ending that will leave you shaking your head, as well as a character shift that is beyond unlikely, convolutes the tone and complicates the message the film makers are trying to send. Is this a character study? A romance? A cautionary tale or a story of redemption? Maybe. Maybe not, and it really doesn’t matter.

Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, one of many aliases he smoothly and deftly dons throughout the painful 130 minutes. He is an accountant for criminals, uncooking the books and vanishing with his payment, no questions asked. His constantly mentioned autism portrays him as a savant, trained by his harsh and demanding father to ignore his challenges, leading him to become a stone cold emotionless professional. A bit too cool, a bit too reflexive, and a bit too James Bond for his own good.

Surrounding Affleck is a stellar supporting cast of J.K. Simmons, Anna Kendrick, and Jon Bernthal. All expert actors, Bernthal shines in his first scene, Simmons in his last, and Kendrick doesn’t really have a place in the film at all. I worry that her turn in “Up in the Air” may turn out to be the only critical acclaim of her career, as recent roles have been either trifling or ill-advised. At least she is young, rich, and clearly having fun. Case in point, “Pitch Perfect 3”.

Director Gavin O’Connor (“Miracle”, “Warrior”) had great intentions but just had a terrible script to work with. He manages to make Affleck once again look like a true blue action star, and some of the fight sequences are remarkable. It is however difficult to Ben in front of the camera so soon after “Batman vs Superman” and his public, messy divorce. His upcoming “Live by Night” might be the redemption he needs, a la “Argo” before putting his cowl back on for no fewer than three more Batman flicks. His dirty love affair with Warner Bros. knows no shame.

Writer Bill Dubuque (the abysmally disappointing “The Judge”) does himself no favors by allowing the blatant attempt to capitalize on autism to unfold so organically. Being in the education field, it nearly made me uncomfortable to see inconsistencies that eliminated any sense of respect or reverence for the disorder.

“The Accountant” could have actually been very good. Had the twist been molded a little more expertly and the main character been a little less suave and a little more, I don’t know, accountant? It could have been thrilling and sharp. Better luck next time, Ben. 5/10.