The Accountant

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. :)

"The Accountant," certainly deserved the Oscar it got, since it's a masterpiece of mood and suspense, rather than a simple farce that lampoons Southerners. The scriptwriter and lead actor, Ray McKinnon, was superb, although his role as the accountant was one-dimensional. It was a new and unconventional role - the country fellow who's sophisticated and articulate. Eddie King nailed the part of David, who ironically became the only character that mattered. His constant intensity showed how high the stakes were, in contrast to the role of Tommy, who was dispassionate to the point of being callous. The set - the dilapidated farmhouse w/holes in walls - was itself an absolute masterpiece of film making. it achieved almost as much as any actor. The ending was a real shocker, esp. for a "farm comedy." Obviously, they didn't mean "comedy" in the classical sense. i'm still wrestling with the finale.

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)

Ray McKinnon's The Accountant is the best short-film, comedy ever. I highly recommend it to everyone who feels a connection with others who are also facing everyday challenges. McKinnon's screen writing depicts the daily struggle local farmers have in trying to keep their farms out of bankruptcy. Ray McKinnon's portrayal of a rural accountant is so funny I almost fell out of my chair laughing. However, his character has a serious side when it comes to teaching family values, the southern way. Eddie King's portrayal of David O'Dell, a farmer, touches my heart as he reminds me of a nurturing father, who wants to preserve his heritage. Walton Coggins does a great job in portraying Tommy O'Dell, the business-minded brother, who shows up at the family farm during a crisis and suddenly becomes interested in saving it. This movie shows how people play upon each other's feelings and how they might attempt to beat the system. The film crew does a superb job with both the sound and visual effects. The music sets the tone, which makes the viewers feel what the characters are also feeling. Then, the camera movement shows the exact location of the movie in single frames. This technique allows viewers to analyze when and where the movie takes place. Then, a large camera shot brings the whole setting together, and viewers are surprised when they realize the actual time period. Camera angles show the intensity between each character during emotionally, revealing scenes. This movie also uses metaphors to visually describes life's transitions in practical ways.Viewers are left guessing on what will happen next. I hope to see more movies like The Accountant from Ginny Mule Productions.