Film review: 'The Accountant'

"The Accountant" is a sophisticated, heart-pounding thriller that delivers on every level. And Ben Affleck gives one of the best performances in his career as a savant who becomes a killing machine.

The film opens with a bang — literally — as a dark figure guns down mobsters in New York City. Immediately after the slaughter, the film flashes back to a married couple who has brought their autistic son to be evaluated by a therapist. The strict, military-minded father rejects the proposed therapy, citing that the child should be bombarded by what the therapist insists should be withheld from him.

Dad's philosophy is that "different scares people," and therefore his son must become a lethal threat to those who attempt to harm him. Dad wins; Mom splits.

Flash to the present, where the child, now a mathematical genius, has become a small-town accountant known as Chris Wolff (Affleck). In reality, he's cooking the books for big-time criminals worldwide. When Chris is employed to uncook the books at a legitimate high-profile robotics company, he miraculously discovers who's been skimming millions within hours of his arrival.

Junior accountant Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick) is assigned to assist Chris but soon learns the quirky accountant is in a league vastly superior to hers. But when Dana's life is threatened by über-hitman Brax (Jon Bernthal), Chris slips into nasty badass mode to defend her.

Meanwhile, a U.S. Treasury Agent (an over-the-top J.K. Simmons) enlists a shady lady (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) to identify and bring down Chris. So now, the deadly mathematician is fighting a war on two fronts, employing questionable methodology. 

It's intriguing to watch esteemed director Gavin O'Connor ("Warrior") directing  Golden Globe-winning director Ben Affleck ("Argo") in this crazy good film. O'Connor taps into that stone-faced quality that Affleck so well exudes and runs with it magnificently.

The peculiarity of Affleck's character never seems contrived. The action is perfectly choreographed as the camera never misses a move. O'Connor has managed to create a very violent movie with a heart of gold. It's a challenge well met.

"The Accountant" is a twisting, ironic film about family values, love, revenge and decency in a rather dark world. The irony lies in the fact that all of these emotions are displayed by a man who supposedly is incapable of having them.

Sometimes, different can be a very good thing.