“The Banker” might be best thought of as “Rambo” meets “Wall Street.”

I’ll try to explain.

In this gritty cop thriller from 1989, we learn at the beginning who the villain is. A ultra-rich banker, Spalding Osbourne, is hiring prostitutes, having sex with them, and then killing them with his crossbow. (Interesting choice!)

A cop, played by Robert Forster, and a TV anchorwoman, played by Shanna Reed, team up to track down the killer.

The Rambo part comes when the villain strips down to his chest and starts stalking victims through shadows and fog.

From what I could figure, the banker villain is drawn from two popular culture figures. One would be the character of Patrick Bateman from the book “American Psycho.” The book argues that American capitalism engenders a psychopathic callousness in its practitioners. Or something like that.

The second influence would be the Michaeal Douglas character Gordon Gecko from Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street” (A movie that made similar claims about capitalism. In fact, I think the actor who plays the banker, Duncan Regehr, got the role because he looked like a buff version of Douglas.)

Forster is playing a watered-down version of Mel Gibson’s character from from “Lethal Weapon”—an alcoholic cop who’s lost control of his life, but nonetheless is very effective at his job.

Richard Roundtree—Shaft himself—appears as a cynical police sergeant.

There was an interesting sub-theme about freedom of the press. 

The ending wrapped up a little too neatly.

If you need a reminder that we’ve always hated the Epstein Class, “The Banker” will do it for you.

(I have to say, “The Banker” is about the least appealing title you can have for a movie. It makes you expect two hours of compound interest and tax returns.)

Best line: One of these days you’re gonna trip over your own dick… And I’m gonna be there.