The Bank (2001)
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61% of critics liked it
(36 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(1,319 ratings)
A young man fascinated with the workings of the world of banking forms an alliance with an unscrupulous corporate predator in this drama. Jim Doyle (David Wenham) developed an interest in finance while he was a young boy growing up in a small Australian town, and as an adult he and his partners have… More A young man fascinated with the workings of the world of banking forms an alliance with an unscrupulous corporate predator in this drama. Jim Doyle (David Wenham) developed an interest in finance while he was a young boy growing up in a small Australian town, and as an adult he and his partners have developed BTSE (Bank Training Simulation Experiment), a sophisticated computer program that can anticipate the ups and downs of the world's money markets. Jim's program attracts the interest of Simon O'Riley (Anthony LaPaglia), the head of a major Aussie financial services corporation, Centabank; O'Riley is looking to cut costs and increase profits, and he's convinced BTSE can help him do just that. However, O'Riley has other, more aggressive ways of boosting his bottom line; Centabank has been shutting down small-town branch offices that have been faithfully serving customers for decades, and has developed a new enthusiasm for foreclosing on loans from smaller customers having trouble making ends meet. Two such customers are Wayne and Diane Davis (Steve Rodgers and Mandy McElhinney), who obtained a loan to start their own business building houseboats; when the local economy went into a nosedive, the Davises found themselves under the thumb of Centabank, and the bank's hounding of the couple led to an unfortunate accident that took the life of their young son. Determined to make Centabank pay for their son's death, Wayne takes on the corporation with the help of Stephen (Mitchell Buell), an activist lawyer. Jim, meanwhile, becomes romantically involved with Michelle (Sibylla Budd), a Centabank employee, and through her gets a clearer idea of just what O'Riley is trying to do. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Connolly
- Written By
- Robert Connolly
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Art House & International
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 2002 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 24, 2003
- Studio
- Footprint Films
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A hokey but highly entertaining tale of corporate greed that should be especially satisfying if you're pissed off at big business.
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Ty Burr, Boston Globe
It looks to be something less than the sum of its quite interesting parts.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
As it is, the film takes too long to become truly compelling. It could have benefited from a shot of good old Hollywood pizazz.
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Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News
Skillfully combines the seemingly disparate worlds of Frank Capra and Oliver Stone.
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Marta Barber, Miami Herald
The Bank, despite its faulty finale, is a fun and thrilling ride.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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David Wenham
as Jim Doyle
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Anthony LaPaglia
as Simon O'Reily
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Mitchell Butel
as Stephen
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Kazuhiro Muroyama
as Toshio
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Stephen Leeder
as Billy
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Bruce Myles
as Ben
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Vince Gil
as Sheriff
- Sibylla Budd
- Steve Rodgers
- Greg Stone
- Mandy McElhinney
