FILM REVIEW

Jennifer K Mahal

It’s hard to make math and finances seem sexy or dangerous. But Robert

Connolly’s “The Bank” manages that and a whole lot more with a plot that

twists with logic and intrigue.

The Australian film tells the story of math genius Jim Doyle (David

Wenham), who is working on software that can predict future stock market

crashes. Doyle interests greedy Centabank CEO Simon O’Reilly (Anthony La

Paglia) in the software, a bargain that starts to look like a Faustian

pact when O’Reilly puts the heat on. You see, O’Reilly is in trouble with

the bank’s board of directors, who want to know why profits aren’t up

even though he’s been closing branches. The software could be his

redemption.

Meanwhile, Centabank finds itself in the midst of legal trouble when a

young couple sues after a Centabank-hired process server serves

bankruptcy papers to their young son, resulting in his death. There’s

also a bit of romance, as Doyle falls for a teller (Sibylla Budd), only

to be unsure if she’s there for the bank or for him.

Things that seem unrelated at the beginning wrap up neatly at the end.

It would almost seem too neat, except director and screenwriter Connolly

cleverly lays down the groundwork throughout. Rather than spooning the

story to his audience, he expects them to be smart enough to follow

along.

The cinematography by Tristan Milani combined with Connolly’s

direction leaves a trail of indelible images. One part “Wall Street” and

one part David Mamet without the swearing, “The Bank” is a film that

stays in the memory.

* “The Bank” will play at 7:30 p.m. today at Edwards Big Newport, 300

Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, as part of the Newport Beach Film

Festival’s gala opening. There will be an encore screening at 11 a.m.

Sunday at the Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach.