The Banker
Movie Trailer
Release Date
March 6, 2020
Genre
Drama
Cast & Crew
- Anthony Mackie as Bernard Garrett
- Samuel L. Jackson as Joe Morris
- Nicholas Hoult as Matt Steiner
- Nia Long as Eunice Garrett
- Colm Meaney as Patrick Barker
Director
George Nolfi
Other Movies Director is Known For
- The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
- Birth of the Dragon (2016)
- Spectral (2016)
Producer
- Joe Viertel
- Anthony Mackie
- Samuel L. Jackson
- George Nolfi
- Brad Feinstein
Writer
- George Nolfi
- Niceole R. Levy
- David Lewis Smith
- Stan Younger
Budget
$11 million
Production Company
- Romulus Entertainment
- Iam21 Entertainment
- Apple TV+
Running Time
120 minutes
Languages
English
Maturity Rating
PG-13
Content Advisory
- Racial themes
- Some violence
- Language
Movie Story
“The Banker” tells the compelling and inspiring true story of two African-American entrepreneurs, Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson), who devise a daring and ambitious plan to take on the racist establishment of the 1960s by helping other African-Americans pursue the American Dream. Garrett, a brilliant and determined man, dreams of becoming a successful real estate investor. However, the systemic racism of the era presents insurmountable barriers.
Undeterred, Garrett teams up with the savvy and charismatic Joe Morris, and together they recruit a working-class white man, Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), to pose as the head of their business empire. While Steiner is the public face of their company, Garrett and Morris secretly run the operations behind the scenes. Their strategy proves remarkably successful, and they begin acquiring properties and even banks, which they use to help African-Americans secure loans and homes, effectively bypassing the racist banking system.
However, as their success grows, so does the scrutiny of the federal government. The stakes become higher when their true identities are discovered, leading to a legal battle that threatens to bring everything they’ve built crashing down. Despite the challenges, Garrett and Morris’s story is one of resilience, cleverness, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Their efforts not only disrupt the status quo but also contribute to the gradual dismantling of institutional racism in America.
Special Effects
“The Banker” is not a film that relies heavily on special effects; instead, it focuses on the strong performances of its lead actors and the authenticity of its period setting. The film effectively recreates the 1960s through meticulous attention to detail in its production design, costumes, and props, all of which help immerse the audience in the era’s atmosphere.
Box Office Performance
Due to its release on Apple TV+, “The Banker” did not have a traditional box office performance. However, it garnered positive reviews and is considered a success on the streaming platform, praised for its performances and timely themes.
Filming Locations
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Los Angeles, California, USA
Notable Quotes
- “You can’t fight a system that was built to crush you.” – Bernard Garrett
- “You wanna be a revolutionary, you gotta trust me.” – Joe Morris
Behind-the-Scenes
The production of “The Banker” was briefly halted due to allegations of misconduct against one of the film’s producers, which were later resolved, allowing the film to be released on schedule. The filmmakers worked closely with the real Bernard Garrett Jr. to ensure the story’s accuracy, contributing to the film’s authenticity and impact.
Awards
- NAACP Image Award Nomination: Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
- Black Reel Awards Nomination: Outstanding Actor (Anthony Mackie)
Final Verdict
“The Banker” is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that highlights an important chapter in American history. Its strong performances, particularly from Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson, combined with its timely themes of racial equality and justice, make it a must-watch. While it may not be a blockbuster, it is a film that resonates deeply, offering both entertainment and enlightenment.
IMDb Rating
7.3/10