One of the consequences of the streaming era is that there have been many impressive films that sadly fell under the radar, getting lost in a sea of content. Even if a film underperforms in its initial theatrical debut, an unsuccessful box office run may be able to call attention to it and initiate conversations regarding its merit.The Bankerwas a great example of a timely,entertaining biopic about relevant subject materialthat was released directly on Apple TV+ during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus never received a fair shake from critics. It’s a shame that the film did not get a wider theatrical rollout, becauseThe Bankeris a powerful examination of community and prejudice that features outstanding performances byAnthony MackieandSamuel L. Jackson.
What Is ‘The Banker’ About?
The Bankerstars Mackie as the real American businessman Bernard Garrett,whose success within the real estate business is undercut by the extreme prejudice of racist powerbrokers in the industry. Frustrated by the lack of progress he has been able to make, Garrett decides to start a scheme that will give back to the community that helped raise him. Jackson co-stars as Joe Morris, a brilliant UCLA graduate who helps Garrett come up with a clever scheme to pull off his endeavor. They plot to create a banking system that supports underrepresented communities by using a white man as the public front of their business. After enlisting the comically obtuse white man Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult) to join their team, Garrett and Morris are able to open a successful series of banks. Unfortunately, their mission proves to be just too noble to go unpunished,as the sinister forces of capitalismdesperately try to take them down.
The Bankeris able to explore its highly dense subject material in a compelling way, as the film’s breakdown of how loans, banking, and equity work is fairly understandable, even for those with little background in economics. One of the more entertaining aspects is watching Garrett and Morris explain to Steiner how to act like a wealthy man to win the respect of the elder bankers. In addition to exploring the nuances of their banking system, these moments also provide commentary upon the differences in race, class, and education that keep the nation divided.The Bankerdoes not undercut its message by attempting to be a crowd-pleaser, but it does present Garrett and Morris as clever heroes who were able to deceive the bigots within the industry. At times, watching them stage elaborate ways to sustain their business feels like theyare taken out of a heist thriller.
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‘The Banker’ Is an Entertaining Film About Serious Issues
The Bankeris a surprisingly profound examination of the relationship between equity and identity, as it suggests that owning a bank means more to Garrett than just being able to dispense with resources. Garrett notes that one of the key issues with the country’s race relations is that African Americans have watched their cultural heritage get destroyed, and are constantly robbed of thechance to find new opportunities. Although Garrett is a brilliant businessman, he also has the spirit of an activist and genuinely wants to create systemic institutions that will be able to support his descendants. Among the most powerful scenes in the film involves Garrett watching the growth of these communities with his son; although he was able to create a sustainable economy for African Americans, it isn’t something that he will be able to personally benefit from in his lifetime.
The Bankerfeatures terrific performances from its entire cast, with the chemistry between Mackie and Jackson being the highlight. Although Mackie captures the unquenchable heroism of a man destined to break barriers, Jacksonadds a surprising amount of humoras a snarky, shrewd businessman who is keen to get back at those who have held his community back. Hoult is also able to bring a surprising amount of depth to Steiner; while he does not face the same prejudice that his new partners do because of the color of their skin, he has also been limited in his upward mobility because of his lack of wealth.The Bankeris a powerful, entertaining history lesson that is just as relevant to today’s politics as it is entertaining as an economic thriller.
The Banker
