Director: George Nolfi
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson and Nicholas Hoult
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as strong as Anthony Mackie. Following his rise to recognition amid the 1990’s, Mackie has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s brave captains, terrorist leaders or troubled soldiers, Mackie has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Mackie’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has often poured his heart and soul into every role. Although he is arguably best known for his role as Falcon in the MCU, Mackie has proven that he can make engaging movies in nearly every genre audiences value. An actor with a strong commitment to his craft, Mackie has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Mackie has made many great movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Mackie and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “The Banker” is my favourite. Released in 2020, George Nolfi’s movie offered a bold portrait of big bankers in American history. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about banking. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Anthony Mackie, who embodies a bold banker in American history. Ultimately, what makes “The Banker” a masterpiece is bold appeal. Unlike most movies about the lives of bankers, it tackles strong themes which everyone can relate to. A bold masterpiece about banking, there are many reasons why “The Banker” is a movie is absolutely worth watching.
Set in 1960’s New York City, “The Banker” ells the story of a banker facing adversity. Anthony Mackie plays Bernard Garret, an American banker with passion towards his profession. Bernard is a brave banker that has often excelled at committing business deals. However, Bernard’s life dramatically changes when he’s given chance to pursue housing integration causing disaster. With the assistance of his companion Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson), Bernard embarks on a journey to fight for housing integration. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Bernard questions whether it’s possible for him to achieve a prosperous future. Faced with a dilemma, Bernard questions whether he can accomplish his dreams of becoming a banker in America.
George Nolfi is fascinated with the stories of spies facing tragedy. A fantastic filmmaker, Nolfi has often made engaging films about spies that face disaster. With “The Banker”, however, Nolfi established his first financial drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the hardships faced by bankers facing tragedies but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Nolfi captures a banker embarking on a journey. Emulating Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me if You Can”, Nolfi captures a banker embarking upon a treacherous journey with a plan through the montages. For instance, montages elevate the housing integrations scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bernard seeks to cope with the tension of housing integration with assistance of a companion. Using stunning montages, Bolfi crafts a compelling portrait of banking. Montages are tricky techniques to use in most films. As the Russo Brothers’ “Avengers: Endgame” suggested, montages enhance comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Nolfi captures the tensions that bankers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Banker” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is well made. Inspired by Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street”, Nolfi effectively uses costumes to capture tensions bankers are facing. For instance, costumes elevate the business meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bernard participates in an intense business meeting causing tension. Using captivating costumes, Nolfi constructs a powerful portrait of banking which proves compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. H. Scott Salina’s’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that bankers bear. Using bold production, Nolfi captures the lives of bankers enduring tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Banker” is a movie that’s with seeing. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the lives of bankers which endure tension. For instance, silence enhances the housing consequences scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bernard is made aware of the consequences involved in housing integration. Using strong silence, Nolfi crafts a portrait of bankers audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often tricky to use in film. As Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” demonstrated, montages enhance films about wars. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Nofi captures commemorated bankers which face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Anthony Mackie delivers one of his best career performances as Bernard. Mackie achieved appreciation for playing rappers in music dramas. With “The Banker”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an American banker facing adversity but Mackie succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. It’s a superb performance by one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Mackie, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of appreciation. Samuel L. Jackson is spectacular, capturing tension faced by a banker seeking to accomplish a tricky mission. Nicholas Hoult is fantastic, capturing the pressure faced by a spy in danger. Lastly, Nia Long merits recognition. As a troubled woman, she is heartbreaking.
Nearly 6 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a banker under intense pressure, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a charismatic nature that has made unforgettable movies throughout his career which audiences will forever treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 