Director: Gavin O’Connor
Starring: John Lithgow, Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors that gained fame many years ago are as beloved as John Lithgow. Following his rise to fame during the 1980’s, Lithgow has crafted memorable movies. Whether it’s killers, famous authors or frustrated fathers, Lithgow has played many strong characters. Arguably, Lithgow’s finest strength as an actor has often been his powerful presence. He is one of those rare actors that has often had the aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen time. Lithgow has seldom been afraid to take risks in his career by portraying complex characters that aren’t often likeable. Through willingness to take risks in his career, Lithgow has become a great actor audiences value. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Lithgow has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout a strong career, the star has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Lithgow and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Accountant” is definitely my favourite. Since its release in 2016, Gavin O’ Connor’s film has proven a crime classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engrossing storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about Autism. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from John Lithgow, who embodies a CIA agent that endures sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Accountant” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about Autism, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a bold message about disability which will resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about Autistic individuals with a flair for accounting, there are several reasons why “The Accountant” is a film that is worth watching.
“The Accountant” tells the story of a genius accountant with severe Autism that causes resentment. Ben Affleck portrays Christian Wolff, a genius with aptitude for crunching numbers in accounting. Since he was a child, Christian has always suffered from severe Autism causing tension. He excels at doing every mathematical equation but struggled with social interaction. However, Christian’s life forever changes when he is given a mission causing disaster. Forced to work with partner Lamar Blackburn (John Lithgow), Christian questions if it’s possible for him to achieve success on a mission that’s catastrophic. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Christian begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible for him to be a mathematical figure. Faced with a dilemma, Christian begins to wonder whether he can become a successful person in a job causing trauma.
Gavin O’Connor is fascinated with themes of crime. A fantastic filmmaker, O’Connor has often made engaging movies about criminals facing disaster. His iconic film “Pride & Glory” captures the lives of cops with pride and glory. With “The Accountant”, however, O’Connor created his first accounting drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tensions faced by accountants performing crimes but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, O’Connor captures the life of an accountant with severe Autism that causes tragedy. Evoking Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, O’Connor effectively uses montages capturing the life of an accountant with autism enduring tragedy. For instance, montages enhance the childhood scene. During this harrowing scene, Christian recounts frightening memories facing anxiety attacks as a young child. Through bold montages, O’Connor captures hardships which individuals with Autism go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use. As Herbert Ross’ “Footloose” demonstrated, montages elevate commemorated musicals about adolescent dancers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, O’Connor signals tension accountants are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Accountant” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. O’Connor effectively uses costume design to capture the lives of accountants facing a decline. Throughout the movie, Christian’s suits play a crucial role in showcasing his personality as an accountant with Autism. For instance, costumes enhance the mathematical equations scene. During this memorable scene, Christian computes many mathematician equations in his office wearing his bold suit. Through compelling costumes, O’Connor creates a strong autistic character that audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the music is magnificent. Mark Isham’s commemorated music is key to the movie’s success. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden accountants bear. Through strong production design, O’Connor captures the lives of commemorated Autistic accounts that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Accountant” is a movie about autism which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture the life of an accountant suffering from terrifying Autism. O’Connor’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture tensions endured by individuals with Autism through flashbacks. Throughout the movie, O’Connor uses flashbacks to capture trauma faced by autistic accountants. For instance, flashbacks elevate the separation scene. During this intense scene, Christian faces a nervous breakdown when he sees his parents separate during his childhood. One appreciates flashbacks capturing tensions which autistic accountants are experiencing. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Rupert Wyatt’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” suggested, flashbacks enhance movie about apes. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, O’ Connor captures commemorated accountants facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
John Lithgow delivers one of his best career performances as Lamar Blackburn. Lithgow first earned appreciation playing reverends of churches in musicals. With “The Accountant”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a CEO of a company that endured tension but Lithgow succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the lash before: tense, charismatic and emotional in his most subtle role. Lithgow has often had an aptitude for playing men that are in strong positions of power, and “The Accountant” had showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most celebrated actors currently working in the industry today.
Ben Affleck is brilliant as an accountant with Autism that suffers from a mental condition that’s tragic. Affleck has often excelled at portraying emotional heroes under pressure, and “The Accountant” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. Whether he’s seeking to solve a mathematical equation that proves to be challenging or listening to loud music to cope with a situation that’s frustrating, Affleck uses his body language to create a character that’s compelling. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Jon Bernthal. As an assassin on a mission, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “The Accountant” would achieve the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of autistic individuals facing resentment. Unlike most movies about Autism, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong theme including identity, disability and trauma which would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with accounting to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about identity which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Accountant” is a movie which everyone would adore.
Fans of John Lithgow will definitely appreciate “The Accountant” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating classic about accountants that are autistic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about Autistic accountants seeking to commit murders that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a actor that has built an iconic legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray empathetic characters in terrific movies which have always captivated the public.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 