The Banker
is an American drama film produced and directed by George Nolfi. The film premiered at the American Film Institute Festival in November 2019 and was slated for release on Apple TV+ in December 2019. It stars Anthony Mackie, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, Jessie T. Usher, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The story revolves around Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) and Bernard Garrett Sr. (Anthony Mackie), who were among the first African-American bankers in the United States. They collaborate on a complex plan to overcome racial bias in the business and real estate investment world during the 1960s.
Prior to its scheduled premiere, the film's release was postponed due to allegations of sexual assault against Bernard Garrett Jr., the son of Bernard Garrett Sr. and a co-producer of the film. These allegations were raised by non-biological half-sisters Cynthia Garrett and Sheila Garrett, with support from Garrett's still-living wife, who was present during the events depicted in the film. Bernard Garrett Jr.'s name was removed from the film, which was then theatrically released in a limited capacity in March 2020 before its digital streaming release on Apple TV+.
the story of the movie
In 1954, Bernard Garrett aspires to enter the real estate business but faces racial barriers preventing him from becoming a successful property investor. After a chance encounter with wealthy nightclub owner Joe Morris, Joe is persuaded to become his investment partner. Together, they convince Matt Steiner, a white man, to serve as the face of their company in meetings to facilitate sales. Ultimately, they achieve great success in real estate in Los Angeles, teaching Matt the fundamentals of real estate investment. The trio buys several properties in Los Angeles and effectively integrates previously segregated neighborhoods by selling and renting to African-American families facing significant racism in accessing banks and obtaining loans.
Following this success, they set their sights on the local bank in Bernard's hometown in Texas to provide loans to Black residents. Racist banking practices had excluded Black individuals from obtaining loans for small businesses and homeownership. Initially hesitant, Joe protests the idea but eventually agrees, and the three move to Texas.
Matt purchases the bank that once required him to shine shoes in front of it, in direct opposition to Bernard and Joe. However, the local townspeople are highly skeptical of this move. An executive at one of the banks tracks loan records and discovers that they are providing loans to Black individuals. Matt follows their trail and discovers that his partners are Black. He then threatens to expose them, which could lead to a "run on the bank." Matt convinces Joe and Bernard to buy a second bank and puts Matt in charge despite his limited experience.
A federal investigator is summoned to examine the records of Matt's bank and discovers numerous violations attributed to Matt's negligence. Matt, Bernard, and Joe are arrested for violating federal banking laws.
Matt receives a 50-year prison sentence and takes a plea deal, falsely claiming that he was deceived by Bernard and Joe. The next day, Bernard passionately testifies about giving Black people the same opportunities to move upward as white individuals. He and Joe are convicted and spend time in prison. Upon their release, they go with Bernard's wife Eunice to live in the Bahamas in homes purchased for them by Matt with the money entrusted to him by Bernard for this purpose on the night preceding Bernard's testimony.
Production and Filming:
In October 2018, it was announced that George Nolfi would direct the film, co-writing it with Niceole Levy. Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, and Taylor Black were cast, with filming commencing in Atlanta. The film was partially shot in Douglasville, Georgia, and Newnan, Georgia. Additional casting calls were announced in November.
Release:
In July 2019, Apple TV+ acquired distribution rights, and the film was scheduled for its global premiere at the American Film Institute Festival on November 21, 2019, followed by a limited theatrical release on December 6, 2019, and digital streaming in January 2020. However, following sexual assault allegations against one of the film's producers, Bernard Garrett Jr., son of Bernard Garrett, by his non-biological half-sisters, the premiere was canceled, and the film was withdrawn from the release schedule.
Bernard Garrett Jr.'s half-sisters, who were not his biological siblings, accused the filmmakers of excluding their mother Linda from the film. The filmmakers denied the sexual assault allegations, citing the family conflict surrounding Linda's infidelity and subsequent separation from Bernard Garrett. The filmmakers asserted that the events depicted in the film resulted from independent research and were not memories provided by Bernard Garrett Jr.