ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL (2016/2017)

1/30/18 - Abacus: Small Enough To Jail (2016/2017) - 6-/10

Smartly martialed and tightly constructed, but beyond the malevolence of the injustice, the overall gets a little bogged down to keep the interest fiery and furious. Scowl inducing but lacking that punch to either knock you on your ass or make you stand up, fist raised.

The heart of the film jumps out of the gate strong, as we focus on the history of this small bank catering to the local Chinatown residents. But as it ventures into the murky waters of the trial against them and the intricacies of the financial rules, momentum ebbs away. There are striking moments of indignation and rapport, however they cannot sustain the dramatic weight and gusto to keep the film pressing forward.

A worthy examination into a legal double-standard and a seemingly racist persecution of a small family owned bank. Good, but little truly great or immensely outstanding.