The Accountant

I saw this film with all of the other nominated short films. The Accountant was clearly the best. I was so glad that Ray Mckinnon won for this film. It was a breath of fresh air. It was funny, plausible, and thought provoking. I hope it is available for viewing on the internet someday.

The makers of this genuine Southern-fried film personally sent me a copy as a thank-you for making a website about one of its stars. I feel blessed and very lucky to own it! Ray McKinnon, Walton Goggins, and Eddie King are all perfect in their roles; and the film nicely achieves its blend of humor and quirkiness, with an overall serious message...

Goggins and King play the O'Dell brothers, Tommy and David. One day, Tommy calls in the Accountant (McKinnon) with the intent to help save their family farm. And, well, he gets a little more than he bargained for! The Accountant eats a lot (pickled eggs, anyone?) and drinks a WHOLE lot. He also prefers to tap out his figuring with his hands and feet, rather than use a calculator. He holds some very interesting ideas about Southern culture, but perhaps the most bizarre thing about him is his suggestion for David on how to preserve the farm. (Bizarre, yet not unheard of!)

McKinnon proves himself three times here, as writer, director, and star. I loved his accent and Scottish dance, and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future! Goggins is, as always, fabulous (and very different from his character Shane on 'The Shield.'). He also does a great Billy Bob impersonation. Eddie King, whose filmography looks much smaller than his co-stars', matches them line for line in acting talent; he's just right as David, and has great chemistry with both McKinnon and Goggins.

Finally, I must mention the soundtrack, which effectively makes use of songs by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Michael Hurley. (Also worth looking out for is the Drive-By Truckers' song "Sink Hole", which does not appear in the film yet was actually written about it.) Overall, the film is a must-see and a deserved Oscar-winner. Kudos to Ginny Mule pictures...may we see much more from them in years to come!

I saw this short film at the Atlanta Film Festival a few years ago, which, I believe, was its premiere. My friend told me it was excellent so I sat through four or five not-so-excellent films (and one very nicely done film) to see it... but it was entirely worth it.

This beautifully shot film is not only constantly hilarious but also constantly thoughtful and intelligent. It's truly a great story that just happens to be set to film. Ray McKinnon is brilliant here, and he was also a very appreciative and grateful guy when approached at the Atlanta Film Festival. Though the film promises to be a humorous romp through redneck country, the ending definitely delivers a message that I won't soon forget. Especially for those of us who live or have lived in rural America and who are now seeing hundreds of acres of beauty and bounty being turned into subdivisions and golf courses, this short movie will definitely stand out. It's worth buying on DVD (or VHS for you farmers), if only for the lines "...she's a fornicatress!" and (to paraphrase) "...you don't tell them about the better life... because this IS the better life..." The context of that last line, and the delivery, was incredible.

As I left the theater, I told my fat buddy that this film deserved an Oscar. I had no idea that it would actually (and rightfully) win one!

In summary: Great short film, made by some good people.

P.S. Just in case any of you good people reading this attended the same Atlanta Film Festival... that one B&W oddly Orwellian short film was also great. I don't remember the name, but I didn't want to discount it. Kudos. Wish I'd done that. :)

I attended a special showing of this film the day it won an Oscar for best live-action short subject. The story unfolds in a classic three character short story form. Clearly, Ray McKinnon had committed himself to the project as writer, director, and the title character- but the heart of the film belongs to the farmer David O'Dell, (Eddie King)through who's eyes we observe the accountant's peculiarities, and after a few minutes wonder if the man is dedicated to his clients or psychotic. The accountant's conspiracy-textured world view is so detailed that we are impressed by the breath of the information he has at his command. The film would have benefited from some editing both in text and pacing, but the genuine spirit and center of the film is the natural performance of Eddie King, an actor to keep an eye on.

Simply the best short film I ever saw. Imaginative, funny (did I say funny? I mean HILARIOUS)and one that can be viewed over and over again to get the whole picture. This reminded me of the great work of the Coen Bros(especially THE BIG LEBOWSKI). Seems very absurd and scores as great for almost the whole duration (about 30-35 min.) of the (short) movie, until the end, when it becomes a masterpiece. With all of this in mind I'll be happy to watch it again for sure, if I can get my hands on it once more. Just caught this on Dutch television but shorts don't come by so often on TV, so next time I'll surely try and tape it. Won't be for all tastes, but won't kill you either ;-) and I simply loved it. 10/10 ( a first for a short in my book)