It’s the weekend again, and that means Film Focus. Here’s Mike Laidman with what’s new in local theaters.




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Hold onto your hats this week, because it’s back-to-back action. If there’s one remedy for the blues, then a double action feature is it.
That’s not exactly what we have going on, but close enough. Ben Affleck maintains his recent strong return to form in The Accountant, and Idris Elba proves he has strong action chops in The Take.

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Mike Laidman

Welcome to another edition of Film Focus. I’m Mike Laidman.

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The Take (2016, James Watkins)
A con artist and former CIA agent are on a mission in France.

Let’s begin with The Take, formerly called Bastille Day for its French setting and somewhat revolutionary aspects. So what is it all about? Let’s take a quick rundown at what’s up.

Michael Mason is an American pickpocket living in Paris who finds himself hunted by the CIA when he steals a bag that contains more than just a wallet. Sean Briar, the field agent on the case, soon realizes that Michael is just a pawn in a much bigger game and is also his best asset to uncover a large-scale conspiracy. Going against commands, Briar recruits Michael to use his expert pickpocketing skills to help quickly track down the source of the corruption. As a 24-hour thrill ride ensues, the unlikely duo discover they are both targets and must rely upon each other in order to take down a common enemy.

Now, for the good and the not-so-good. While the style is reminiscent of V for Vendetta and the Bourne series, the story and set piece don’t hold together as well. What does, however, is Elba’s performance, proving he’s an action hero in waiting.


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The Accountant (2016, Gavin O’Connor)
A math savant cooks the books for a new client.

Christian Wolff is a math savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Behind the cover of a small-town CPA office, he works as a freelance accountant for some of the world's most dangerous criminal organizations. With the Treasury Department's Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King, starting to close in, Christian takes on a legitimate client: a state-of-the-art robotics company where an accounting clerk has discovered a discrepancy involving millions of dollars. But as Christian uncooks the books and gets closer to the truth, it is the body count that starts to rise.

Despite having taken a shine to directing recently, Affleck has been too busy with other projects to helm this one. Instead, look to see him light up the screen as a math genius with a taste for accounting, and vigilante justice.