If you’re a fan of feel-good underdog stories, Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger is a sequel that delivers exactly what you’d expect. Rory Kinnear reprises his role as Dave Fishwick, the Burnley entrepreneur who made headlines by launching his own community bank in 2011.This time, Dave takes on predatory payday lenders, a battle that’s as heartwarming as it is predictable. While the film leans heavily on clichés, its charm lies in the genuine performances and the fact that it’s rooted in real-life events.
Set two years after the original, the story follows Dave as his community bank continues to thrive, offering loans to those overlooked by traditional financial institutions.His world is shaken when he uncovers the exploitative practices of payday lenders, including one shocking case where a £600 loan ballooned to £3,000. Enter Carlo Mancini, the film’s antagonist, played by Rob Delaney. As the shady owner of Speedy Dough,a fictional payday lender with ties to organized crime,Mancini embodies the greed Dave is fighting against.
The film’s plot—taking down exploitative lenders—is undeniably compelling. However, the script occasionally overplays Dave’s “man of the people” persona, which could feel heavy-handed if not for Kinnear’s endearing performance. Supporting actors also shine, especially Chrissy Metz as a New York finance journalist recruited by Dave to investigate Mancini. Her dry humor adds a refreshing touch,especially with her memorable line upon arriving in Burnley: “I’m from America.Sorry about that.But it’s better than being from London, right?”
