A rather pleasant throwback to the escapist action movies of the '90s that should be watched for pure popcorn entertainment but falls apart if you try scrutinizing its logic. I sometimes wonder how Ben Affleck chooses his movies as an actor especially after he started part- timing behind the camera. Apart from 'Gone Girl' which is rather similar to his choice of movies as a director, rest seem to just make money for him to produce his next venture. Doesn't sound like a bad idea at all!!
Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) suffers from high-functioning autism but a gifted mathematician who takes up high profile jobs across the world from terrorists, failed states, mafia, cartels etc. to process their accounts. He also maintains a very low profile when he is back home in a small accounting firm as his front. When he takes up a new normal client which is a robotics conglomerate to uncook their books, his discovery leads to putting him as well as the young accounting executive of the firm Dana (Anna Kendrick) who initially identified the discrepancy in danger. All the while the US Treasury Department comprising of Ray King (J.K. Simmons) and Medina (Cynthia Robinson) are closing in on identifying him from his past deals. Can he put himself and Dana out of harm's way and identify who is behind targeting them?
Ben Affleck gives a somber performance which is apt and fits the role perfectly that doesn't require him to emote beyond his poker face. Anna Kendrick doesn't enjoy a meaty role here and she is just for a distraction. The best part of the movie are its screenplay and editing which brings together different threads of the story in the most entertaining way possible. When I said that it is one of those many movies which would fall apart with a little scrutiny on logic, this one rather has way too many holes to ignore and at times they are too glaring.
The big climax revelation can be guessed from far away but it does end up entertaining. The writers seems to be suffering from the same condition as that of its title character to obsessively cover all the loose ends to bring a logical conclusion and that leads to unnecessary footage which hampers the experience. Especially the story behind the robotic voice he keeps hearing throughout the movie. Despite its runtime the movie is rather breezy and doesn't feel dragged at any point. Another best part was the director's ability to capture some genuinely good moments which makes you forgive some logical misgivings.
The story of a mathematician sans logic doesn't quite equate, but the entertainment factor as the variable solves that puzzle.
Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) suffers from high-functioning autism but a gifted mathematician who takes up high profile jobs across the world from terrorists, failed states, mafia, cartels etc. to process their accounts. He also maintains a very low profile when he is back home in a small accounting firm as his front. When he takes up a new normal client which is a robotics conglomerate to uncook their books, his discovery leads to putting him as well as the young accounting executive of the firm Dana (Anna Kendrick) who initially identified the discrepancy in danger. All the while the US Treasury Department comprising of Ray King (J.K. Simmons) and Medina (Cynthia Robinson) are closing in on identifying him from his past deals. Can he put himself and Dana out of harm's way and identify who is behind targeting them?
Ben Affleck gives a somber performance which is apt and fits the role perfectly that doesn't require him to emote beyond his poker face. Anna Kendrick doesn't enjoy a meaty role here and she is just for a distraction. The best part of the movie are its screenplay and editing which brings together different threads of the story in the most entertaining way possible. When I said that it is one of those many movies which would fall apart with a little scrutiny on logic, this one rather has way too many holes to ignore and at times they are too glaring.
The big climax revelation can be guessed from far away but it does end up entertaining. The writers seems to be suffering from the same condition as that of its title character to obsessively cover all the loose ends to bring a logical conclusion and that leads to unnecessary footage which hampers the experience. Especially the story behind the robotic voice he keeps hearing throughout the movie. Despite its runtime the movie is rather breezy and doesn't feel dragged at any point. Another best part was the director's ability to capture some genuinely good moments which makes you forgive some logical misgivings.
The story of a mathematician sans logic doesn't quite equate, but the entertainment factor as the variable solves that puzzle.