The Banker, starring Anthony Mackie, is Apple TV’s first movie bite

Apple takes a bite at making movies with The Banker, starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nicholas Hoult. Did it succeed?

The Banker, set in the 1950s and inspired by true events, follows math whiz Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and business-savvy man Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson). The two men partner up to take on the racist establishment holding them back from becoming the successful businessmen they were born to be. Despite unmeasurable smarts and skills, society makes sure to keep them down.

To jump through the racist roadblock, Garrett and Morris train a white man, Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), to pose as the face of their plans. So while Bernard and Joe are the masterminds and true owners of their real estate, banking empire, and handling everything behind-the-scenes, Steiner appears to execute their plan to the outside world. Steiner is the one who holds the meetings, makes purchases, and presents business ideas and prepositions to others, quickly becoming popular among the wealthy crowd.

Garrett and Morris’ plan and freedom is threatened when word eventually gets around that they are the men behind Steiner and the federal government become involved. Before diving into the middle and final act of the movie, it’s important to note Garrett’s motives.

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Garrett is doing this for more than greed. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. His plan is to give back to his people by offering them opportunities he knows would otherwise be impossible. Garrett wishes to buy real estate properties and re-selling/renting to the growing black middle-class communities.

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The movie takes its time establishing the story before getting audiences excited. Once Morris joins Garrett, the movie finally gets going. It’s tough not to become more excited with Samuel L. Jackson in the picture. The most enjoyable part, though, is watching Garrett and Morris put their scheme together. Training Mat is fun to watch. It doesn’t last very long, though, which could have worked had it been followed by other exciting sequences.

It’s, unfortunately, not until the final arc that The Banker sends emotions through the screen again, but only to abruptly end, wrapping up the conclusion too swiftly for fans to enjoy. What should have taken its time is the final act, instead of rushing it. And what should have been more quick are the introductions.

This isn’t to say the movie isn’t worth watching, especially with it streaming on Apple TV. Jackson and Mackie are an electric duo, more fun to watch together than in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Banker is playing in select theaters now and arriving to Apple TV Plus on Friday, March 20.