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2017
Not Rated
PBS Distribution
1 h 28 m

2017
Not Rated
PBS Distribution
1 h 28 m

Summary Abacus: Small Enough to Jail tells the incredible saga of the Chinese immigrant Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings of Chinatown, New York. Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indict...

Documentary

Directed By: Steve James

2017
Not Rated
PBS Distribution
1 h 28 m

2017
Not Rated
PBS Distribution
1 h 28 m

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 16 Critic Reviews

73

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 12 User Ratings

7.1

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Abacus: Small Enough to Jail tells the incredible saga of the Chinese immigrant Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings of Chinatown, New York. Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indict...

Documentary

Directed By: Steve James

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Thomas Sung

Self - Founder, Abacus Federal Savings Bank

Hwei Lin Sung

Self - Thomas Sung's Wife

Cyrus Vance Jr.

Self - District Attorney, New York County

Matt Taibbi

Self - Journalist & Author, The Divide

Jill Sung

Self - Abacus President & CEO

Vera Sung

Self - Abacus Director

Heather Sung

Self - Physician

Chanterelle Sung

Self - Former Assistant DA

Linda Hall

Self - Title Closer

David Lindorff

Self - Investigative Journalist

Jiayang Fan

Self - Staff Writer, The New Yorker

Polly Greenberg

Self - Chief, Major Economic Crimes Bureay NY DA's Office

Yiu Wah Wong

Self - Abacus Chief Credit Officer

Kevin Puvalowski

Self - Attorney for Abacus

Sam Talkin

Self - Attorney for Mr. Wong

Don Lee

Self - Community Activist

Ti-Hua Chang

Self - Reporter

Rusty Wing

Self - Attorney for Abacus

Roman Fuzaylov

Self - Juror

Jessica Woodby-Denema

Self - Juror

View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 16 Critic Reviews

88% Positive
14 Reviews

13% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 16 Critic Reviews

88% Positive
14 Reviews

13% Mixed
2 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

May 19, 2017

As gripping as the movie is as a legal thriller, it's even more notable as a portrait of a community.

By Matt Zoller Seitz FULL REVIEW

May 18, 2017

By focusing on the Sungs, [James] puts real, human faces to this corporation, leaving little doubt they’re the ones to root for.

By Kristen Yoonsoo Kim FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

Jun 22, 2017

Much of the film’s appeal is from the quiet determination of the patriarch Sung, unflappable under the stress, and the family and community who rally around him.

By Pat Padua FULL REVIEW

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Jun 1, 2017

The film’s director, who would make an excellent character witness for the defence, raises the questions but frustratingly doesn’t answer them in an otherwise compelling documentary.

By Brad Wheeler FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

May 18, 2017

It’s a kind of stealth home movie: a portrait of two generations of an immigrant family in the United States.

By Ben Kenigsberg FULL REVIEW

May 17, 2017

Steve James is clearly positioning the film as a rallying cry, and its weaknesses as art might bolster its strength as reformatory theater.

By Chuck Bowen FULL REVIEW

May 18, 2017

As for what all of this represents, Small Enough To Jail doesn’t draw any conclusions that its many interviewees aren’t willing to voice themselves.

By Ignatiy Vishnevetsky FULL REVIEW

See All 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 12 User Ratings

67% Positive
8 Ratings

33% Mixed
4 Ratings

0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 12 User Ratings

67% Positive
8 Ratings

33% Mixed
4 Ratings

0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company Blue Ice Films, Kartemquin Films, Mitten Media, Motto Pictures, WGBH

Release Date May 19, 2017

Duration 1 h 28 m

Rating Not Rated

Genres

Documentary

Website http://www.kartemquin.com/films/abacus

View All Details

Awards

Academy Awards, USA

• 1 Nomination

Critics' Choice Documentary Awards

• 2 Wins & 3 Nominations

Philadelphia Film Festival

• 1 Win & 2 Nominations

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