Have you ever wondered if there are any accountants who went into the profession because they were inspired by on screen accountants in movies? You might not think it’s the most glamorous profession to be portrayed on screen but for such an important job, looking after people’s money, there is a lot of scope for great stories, intrigue and a touch of fraud! Here are some of the best film accountants:
William Blake in Dead Man (Johnny Depp)
This is a rather bizarre Western made in 1995 and starring Johnny Depp who plays an accountant on the run after killing a man. He has a chance encounter with a Native American spirit guide who is convinced William is the reincarnation of the poet William Blake. It had some big names to boast too, including Gabriel Byrne, Iggy Pop and Robert Mitchum. Neil Young composed the soundtrack to the film. It has been described as a postmodern Western and it certainly has a psychedelic feel and was filmed completely in black and white.
Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption (Tim Robbins)
Arguably one of the greatest films ever made and the leading man is an accountant. Tim Robbins plays an accountant accused of murdering his wife and her lover despite his claims of innocence. The 1994 film, based on a book by Stephen King, follows some twenty years of incarceration and the growing friendship with Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman). Dufresne gets involved in a complex money laundering scheme along with the prison warden while he plots his escape.
Harold Crick in Stranger than Fiction (Will Ferrell)
This is a 2006 fantasy comedy starring Will Ferrell as a tax agent who begins to hear a voice narrating his life. It follows the desperate attempts of Harold to prevent his imminent death as predicted by the narrator that he can hear. It also stars Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Hearing a narration of your life would be very distracting! When you need a focused and reliable Cheltenham accountants, visit a site like Cheltenham accountants Randall & Payne
C.C Baxter in The Apartment (Jack Lemmon)
This 1960 romantic comedy drama is now considered to be one of the best films of all time. It won 5 academy awards and both Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine won Golden Globes for their performances. The story follows a financial clerk who is desperate to climb the corporate ranks so decides to let out his apartment to senior colleagues to conduct extramarital affairs!
Chris Wolff in The Accountant (Ben Affleck)
Think accounting is dull? Then think again as this is an action-packed thriller about an autistic forensic accountant who has super human numerical skills. Whilst not too great with social cues, Christian Wolff gets totally absorbed in his work and helps to catch some high-profile fraudsters who are dangerous and involved in insider financial deception.
As you can see, whether it’s murder, crime, romance or Westerns – accountants do get up to all sorts in Hollywood. Who said accounting had to be dull?
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