Against all odds, their gambit – purchasing the largest office building in Los Angeles, one that houses all the major banks – succeeds, and the pair's empire expands. But after visiting his father in Texas, Garrett's most ambitious goal becomes clear: he wants to own his home town's bank, so he can approve loans to African Americans otherwise denied the opportunity to advance their own interests.
A welcome alternative to the "white saviour" narratives that have unfortunately dominated this storytelling space, The Banker gains considerable power from the rock-hard convictions of its lead character. Mackie's staid performance bounces nicely against Jackson's charismatic swagger, and the pair's chemistry is one of the best things about the film.
As inspiring as it is to see these two men fight the system, the sad state of American racial injustice continually asserts itself, showing how it's often a case of one step forward, two steps back.
Although not especially profound and sometimes a tad too mired in bewildering accounting lingo, The Banker is nevertheless an ultimately uplifting viewing experience.
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nia Long
Director: George Nolfi
Running time: 120 mins
Watch: Streaming on Apple TV+
Verdict: Decent melodrama, fine performances and a couple of nice victorious moments.
