Film Review – The Banker

“The Banker” dramatizes the true story of Joe Morris and Bernard Garrett, two black men who challenged the white real estate and banking system during the 1950s and ‘60s, creating financial opportunities for those normally refused such chances to better their lives. It’s an interesting story, but it’s not an especially thrilling film, with co-writer/director George Nolfi (“The Adjustment Bureau,” “Birth of the Dragon”) perhaps the wrong person for the job. Instead of creating a riveting understanding of the central mission from Morris and Garrett, Nolfi generates a television movie account of the story, aiming for a softer, audience-friendly understanding of the challenges the men faced while trying to do the impossible. Thespian emphasis saves the picture, with the actors striving to make their scenes count while Nolfi works to dilute the material, robbing it of real power. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com