If the story of two ‘negro’ men owning their own banks and private property in Jim Crow white America doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what else will .Like many of my movie reviews in the past, I will like to state that this is not a paid sponsorship, although I wish it were. If you’re like me who has attempted to read ‘the Richest Man In Babylon’ for the umpteenth time but to avail, this movie will be a good Biz 101 course for you.
Inspired by true events, but almost too good to be true, The Banker follows the life of the main character Bernard Garrett played by Anthony Mackie who was raised in Texas shining the shoes of racist white folk. By Eavesdropping on the conversations of bankers and investors, he taught himself the art or rather the business of real estate and investment banking. With grit and determination for a better life for himself and his family, he left the Lone star state to the city of angels. However, even in the city of angels, the devil still lives at large. Sleeping in the ‘shed’ of his bother-in-law and struggling to pay rent, it wasn’t exactly how he imagined life would be. Sooner than later, hope comes to the rescue when he meets Patrick Baker, played by Colm Meaney who will serve as his guarantor enabling him to obtain loans to purchase and develop real estate. The success he recorded with Mr. Baker will be short lived. After the death of his partner, issues arising from ownership of the real estate will threaten his miniature empire. Left with no options, he turns to Joe Morris played by The Samuel L. Jackson who although had all the attributes of a playboy will prove very valuable in providing capital and valuable lessons to their new recruit- a white boy who hitherto had no business experience. The black duo will train their prodigy; Matt Steiner to help them acquire the Banker’s building- the largest commercial property in the business district of Los Angeles. What their apprentice lacked in complex algebra he made up with a photographic memory. Their business model will be hinged on the brain of two Negroes with the face of a white lad.
The American dream affirms that irrespective of race, religion or gender, with a little luck and a ton of hard work, anybody can rise to be somebody in Gods own country. But when you’re a black man in America with a skin rich in melanin, that dream feels more like a nightmare. Against the advice of his family and business, Bernard Garrett returns to the Lone state to acquire the Mainland bank of Texas. With this acquisition, the Black owned bank gave loans to local black businesses. However,owning one bank was not enough, the duo together with their white apprentice will acquire another bank and purchase at least 177 buildings. Luck will run out on them when red necks in Texas tipped by the son of the former owner of the bank where shocked to find out their money was given as loans to black folk. It was clear to see that Bernard’s upbringing meant business was more than turnovers and profit. It was his way of fighting back a cruel and unjust system designed to keep men of colour from flourishing. His crusade will land him in trouble with the Banking regulators. As with all great undertakings,he will pay a huge price for his audacious courage.
In a swift turn of events, the trio will find themselves testifying before the United States congress. But instead of compromising their integrity for immunity, the black duo accepted to go serve three years in federal Prison .Their properties were confiscated by the government and they lost ownership of their banks.
Throughout the George Nolfi directed movie, Bernard Garrett uses his influence as a real estate developer and later as a banker to empower his race. His bravery blurred the lines of segregation between white and black neighborhoods in California. Three years after their testimony, the senate passed the Fair housing Act of 1968 making it illegal to refuse to sell or rent property on basis of race, religion or gender.
At a time when there is a lot of visual blasphemy in the name of entertainment and assault on good content, films like The Banker though in a long line of black American struggle movies, not only highlights the struggle of been a black business owner in the 1950s but also the risks involved. The movie may not wet your eyeballs like Selma or Twelve years a Slave but it will certainly make you to reflect and appreciate the power of small beginnings. For lovers of Jexi or Jumanji, it might be a struggle to enjoy the 2 hours of this potential Oscar contender without skipping scenes.
This is the movie for those starting out in life and in business; faced with a mountain of challenges. The choice of Samuel L. Jackson as one of the leading actors proves with no doubt why Jackson is revered in Hollywood. He lightens the scenes with jokes and witty quotes tricking the mind of the audience; letting out the suspense with an equal amount of laughter. Fans will gladly use these lines to woo a lady or try with little effort to sound woke!
Throughout the movie, the power of having a partner as a wife instead of a vassal is accentuated. Eunice, the wife of Garrett continues to admonish and support her husband through the high and lows of his career while raising their son.
We are reminded albeit through the lens of cinema that even a shoe shiner can rise from the bottom to polish the life of his fellow man when driven by conviction. It offers a message of hope-that the man who is rejected at the front door with enough gusto can return to buy the damn building. Black history month may have come and gone, but the lessons in this movie will keep the budding entrepreneur and indeed any person with a knack for good movies pressing the replay button a few times; not only for the business tips but also for the wit and charm disguised in tailored suits , Cuban cigars and Irish whiskey.
Parkwat Walkyes Parky
For Scalpeldiary.
21st March,2020