We're good at "defining," using common sense or universal values to define good or bad, right or wrong, fortune or misfortune, and even good and evil... Sometimes, we also define ourselves and others. The movie title "The Accountant" is very close to director Gavin O'Connor's intention: to refuse any "definition" and tell only one person's life story.
Ben Affleck portrays Christian Wolf, an accountant specializing in accounting issues for major criminal organizations. He is quiet by nature, possesses exceptional computational skills, and is proficient in martial arts. Despite his unique and formidable abilities, he was fragile like paper in his childhood and faced rejection from most people around him.
Young Chris had autism with anxiety traits, which made him averse to hugs, fearful of bright lights and loud noises, and reliant on specific fabrics for comfort. Despite these challenges, he had a remarkable affinity for numbers and could solve puzzles quickly. However, he struggled immensely when unable to find the last piece of a puzzle, feeling a compulsion to complete it, and would become overwhelmed, reciting the nursery rhyme "Solomon Grundy" to manage his emotions.
Raised by a father who was tough and persevering, and a mother who was weak and distant, Chris navigated between active decision-making and passive acceptance, grappling with the effects of autism that seemed to haunt him like an unshakeable nightmare.
As an adult, Chris faced profound loss, losing his father at his mother's funeral. While in prison, he encountered Francis Silverberg, portrayed by Jeffrey Tambor, a renowned figure in the world of money laundering. Under Silverberg's tutelage, Chris mastered a comprehensive set of accounting techniques and gained access to a network of clients. Upon his release, Chris assumed Silverberg's mantle, launching his career in accounting with no easy way out.
The story is just beginning. Following the murder of Silverberg, whom Chris avenged, he became embroiled in a brutal financial crime, including the murder of witnesses. In a fight for his life, Chris unexpectedly encountered someone new and reunited with someone from his past after a prolonged separation.
Overall, the most exciting part of the entire movie is not the story content but the characters in the play. The scattered flashbacks and flashbacks, like the fading of human memory, the fragmented emotional expressions are more plain and natural, the objective image is accessible from the influence of verbose words, and Christian Wolff's personality is presented, which is particularly moving in some specific scenes.
Just like Christian Wolff looking at his father lying on the ground, his eyes are painful and restrained, and the "father" murmured in his mouth is swallowed by the air around him without a desperate cry. Still, after many years, he confronts the financial department official Ray King, played by J.K. Simmons. The reason for not pulling the trigger is not complicated: maybe you are not a good person, but your life should not be ended since you are a good father. Christian Wolff never judges the right or wrong of his father's education model; he sees the love and worry he can do. Different from others, he accepts the imperfect things in life in his unique way.
When Christian Wolff looked at the sleeping figure of Dana Cummings, played by Anna Kendrick, his eyes were sad and nostalgic. The gap gradually narrowed, and she disappeared from his sight bit by bit. The note he left did not express his feelings, just like the things he didn't tell his brother: he is not ignorant. He also cares, but he chooses to stand far away and silently pay attention because of this care. Christian Wolff never looked back; a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he drove slowly forward and disappeared into the woods. Different from others, he firmly guards those he cherishes in his unique way.
When another taciturn child, or another Christian Wolff, heard the unique greeting from Justine, who also had autism, the initially lifeless face instantly showed a bright smile. At this moment, an excellent connection was made. It inadvertently verified what the psychologist said: "He just doesn't know how to express himself, or maybe we haven't learned how to listen yet." Different people, different ways of expression. What's wrong with that? The real culprit is the behaviour of defining, misinterpreting, denying, and belittling without listening and the hasty and narrow-minded mentality, which is the root of unfairness.
Desire to integrate, communicate, and communicate. This is my interpretation of this painting, just as its name: a friend in need. Humans need each other and are subordinate to each other, although individuals are naturally different. The painting frequently appears in the film, seemingly representing the most urgent demands of all autism patients.
Break free from restraints and pursue freedom and openness. This is the fundamental meaning of this series of abstract expressionist paintings. This painting, which also appears in the film, is by an artist with a self-enclosed mind. I can't say why, but looking at this painting always feels like seeing Christian Wolff.
I don't deny that for a movie, the richness and rhythm of the plot, the setting and control of the narrative context and clues, and the setting and control of the character relationships are all essential evaluation standards. But compared to these, what I value more is the core values it conveys. For me, the core value is the finishing touch of the whole movie, the actual appearance under the skin, and the inner soul wrapped in flesh and blood.
I have to emphasize again: the core of this movie is people. Through Christian Wolff, a unique accountant, the director shows us the inner activities and behaviours of an autistic patient when facing family, friendship, and love. Through every experience and every choice, their suffering and joy, perseverance and weakness, struggle and contradiction, and even disguise and purity are displayed one by one in front of us, calling out for a voice: please don't continue to look the other way.
"I cannot say I know you well; I'm just trying to leave something behind." This is a lyric from the end credits. Maybe, like it says, I don't understand Christian Wolff's thoughts and perceptions. Still, I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to see such a person or such a group of people. They are born different, but without exception, they all have the same precious love. Such people, we should put aside our prejudices: get close, love, and be loved.
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