The Banker

Loved Forster in other movies and wanted to check out some of his earlier work; he's good in this but the script doesn't do much, although the modus operandi of the killer is off the beaten path, at least. The underdog cop just seems to be there as the obligatory buddy cop, dialog and plot aren't bad. They definitely needed to hit the gyms to look for a better boom mic operator, though...all the shenanigans the reporter gets away with are more than a bit implausible, too.

For two hours, Duncan Regehr plays a person who is a genius and insane. Then the last 15 minutes he transforms into a person who is a genius and a moron. VERY disappointing.

The Banker isn't as bad as some of these types of thrillers made during the 80s and 90s. It's a take on The Most Dangerous Game. A wealthy banker is a sociopath who torments and murders women while a detective works to solve the murders. His ex is a reporter who reports on the slayings. The story is easy to follow and the acting isn't too bad. A fun thriller to watch.

THE BANKER is a low budget and justly forgotten crime thriller that's randomly got a 4k remaster on Amazon Prime these days, just one of those oddball things that sometimes happens in film history. Seen today, it's an unremarkable and forgettable affair, with Robert Forster on autopilot duties as a detective hunting for the titular character, a maniac banker with a penchant for murdering prostitutes. Despite the sleazy plot it's a pedestrian affair with lots of talk that doesn't really go anywhere and a real lack of drive and suspense. The most amusing thing about it is seeing the OTT villain's performance so clearly modelled on the Michael Douglas character from WALL STREET.

Some "B" movies just deliver the goods, and "The Banker" is just such a film. Anyone who has seen any of the numerous "Most Dangerous Game" type clones, will definitely feel on familiar ground. The main difference being that the "hunter" uses as crossbow instead of a rifle, and the stalking takes place in the city instead of the wild countryside. One thing "The Banker" has going for it is a competent performance by Robert Forster. Shanna Reed and Jeff Conway seem pale by comparison, and Duncan Regehr over acts, while Richard Roundtree is mostly wasted in a no name type role. The film does generate some tension, and thankfully there are no car chase time fillers. Definitely worth a viewing by "B" movie admirers. - MERK