Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Limerculer A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Leoni Haney Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

fantanman The quality of films coming out of Australia always amazes me considering the size of their budgets compared to run-of-the-mill "blockbusters" that Hollywood lavishes millions on. OK, you have to suspend belief a bit to accept that the caper that is the plot of "The Bank" could actually be pulled off -- or could it? But what the hell, if you watch Hollywood films you suspended your belief a long time ago.This film is a great example of Less is more. No car chases, nobody gets murdered, hardly any sex. All it has is good writing, good dialog, excellent acting, imaginative filming and special effects and music.And Anthony Lapaglia is just one of the finest actors around these days. Altogether an enjoyable film.

RLARKT199 We all hate the banking industry. Banks have been around for a long time. Unsympathetic institutions that can either break you or make you. This good film,from Australia,gives us the insight dealings of a major bank and the individuals who run the bank and will go to any length, make a profit, regardless of who they hurt. This film is about one such bank and how it collapse,by their own greed,. Now,this is not to say banks are evil,after all where would we be without them. But, like anything else, the bad exists as well as the good. The Bank,with a good cast,will keep the viewer glued to the television set. Filmed in Australia,a good cast of Australian actors do a good job in their acting ability to bring this film to the screen. American actor,Anthony LaPaglia plays,the head executive of this bank.

snake77 Maybe this is what goes over Down Under (sorry, couldn't resist), but I found this film to be lacking much sophistication. And it certainly withers next to the last Australian import I saw, the nuanced and terrific "Lantana". "The Bank" is about on par with what you might see on American cable, maybe slightly better acted. It's meant to be a tense thriller about corporate greed vs. the good of society, but the script tackled these themes in such a heavy handed simplistic way I couldn't get interested. No accident, I'm sure, that the "good" guy representing the common man was Aussie, and the "bad" guy who personified unethical corporate excess was an American (played by an Australian, the usually good and occasionally very good Anthony LaPaglia). Sometimes when a film has a dull script, it can be rescued by inspired direction, acting or dialogue. Unfortunately "The Bank" doesn't have any of these, so it ends up being a mediocre movie. It wasn't awful, there are a couple of good lines and a decent twist, but not enough for me to recommend it. If you're hankering for a movie about a math genius, rent Darren Aranofsky's "Pi" instead. It's much better.

David Ferguson Greetings Again from the Darkness. Nice, taut thriller from first time director Richard Connolly. The movie has an Australian pace to it - very deliberate, and a bit choppy. The characters are all a bit reserved, but true emotions are somehow worn on one's sleeve. Anthony LaPaglia, who has been one of the most consistent actors for 10-12 years, is the power-hungry president of the largest bank in the region. He perfectly captures the necessary ego, greed and desperation that the position requires. David Wenham plays his savior/nemesis with perfect aplomb. The two forge a partnership of necessity and ego that is a pleasure to watch - really just a live action chess match. I was most confounded by the character played by Sibylla Budd as I continually thought a surprise was in store. The overall theme of revenge overpowers all the other displayed human traits and makes for some wonderful moments - and a couple of GREAT lines from LaPaglia. Just a note - the "Vince Gil" in the credits is the veteran Australian actor and not the lame C&W performer.