Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: November 17, 2017

6.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 93 Ratings

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TVJerryDec 7, 2017

Most actors love to challenge themselves with complex and compelling roles and it appears that Denzel Washington is no exception. He plays an attorney with a multitude of idiosyncrasies and a fiercely determined ideology. With various ticksMost actors love to challenge themselves with complex and compelling roles and it appears that Denzel Washington is no exception. He plays an attorney with a multitude of idiosyncrasies and a fiercely determined ideology. With various ticks and an idiosyncratic appearance he staunchly defends his principles until a large corporate attorney (Colin Farrell) introduces him to the business side of the profession. Writer/director Dan Gilroy has presented some interesting situations and allowed Washington to go all out, but there's something complex and confusing about his performance and the statements that the movie is making. Despite an uneven narrative, continuous character setbacks and sometimes abrupt motivations, Washington is worth watching.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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ViniciusBritoFeb 18, 2018

This movie is more than anything, a character movie, you keep watching because you want to see his journey and what he is up to, and that is thanks to Denzel work and writing for Dan Gilroy. The story have some quotes that really intriguesThis movie is more than anything, a character movie, you keep watching because you want to see his journey and what he is up to, and that is thanks to Denzel work and writing for Dan Gilroy. The story have some quotes that really intrigues you and make you think, some choices that Roman does. Always with correct attitudes, being the example for a person and trying to help everyone out, trying to make justice and believing, but it shows you what a moment of difficulties can do, making you break into something that you are not, and because of that "easy path", are consequences to deal with. The problem here is the rhythm, sometimes i get bored and disinterested for the situation, plus some sequences are confusing, the slow sequences doesn't work all the time, but for other hand, i was tense in some sequences. The music here is very well chosed, it serves as a narrative factor, talks to what's happening. Overwall is a really slow and interesting movie to watch, it can teach you some good stuff.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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AxeTNov 23, 2017

A strong unique character played exceptionally by superstar Denzel Washington is marred by the highly original script's uneven and at times clunky plot machinations along with some false supporting performance notes. It builds and holds wellA strong unique character played exceptionally by superstar Denzel Washington is marred by the highly original script's uneven and at times clunky plot machinations along with some false supporting performance notes. It builds and holds well in its unpredictability only to ultimately bail out in delivering a really great movie.

* note: My review lambasted this writer/director's last movie "Nightcrawler" for its unnecessary unrealistic pervasive vulgar profanity masking weak storytelling, and very interestingly this follow up effort has no cursing whatsoever to its benefit. Coincidence?… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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GreatMartinNov 26, 2017

Denzel Washington never gives less than his best but sometimes even that isn’t enough to save a movie and Dan Gilroy, the director, who also wrote the screenplay, let’s the actor, as the title character, down in the second half of this 2 hourDenzel Washington never gives less than his best but sometimes even that isn’t enough to save a movie and Dan Gilroy, the director, who also wrote the screenplay, let’s the actor, as the title character, down in the second half of this 2 hour and 2 minutes film.
When we first meet Roman he is living in a studio apartment packed to the rafters with papers, books and more pictures on his wall than I have! He is ‘old school’ with his Afro, the way he dresses and, as we quickly learn, a veteran at fighting for civil rights along with being honest, ethical, principled and a savant of law.
He is a partner in a law office where he does all he behind the scenes work and his partner handles all the court dates. Within a day his partner has a heart attack, is certain to die and the law firm has to be dissolved leaving Ramon without a partner, a job, alone and living in the past unable to be part of the present or future. George Pierce, played by Colin Farrell, is brought in by the dying partner’s niece to close the office. Unable to get a job he eventually takes a job at George’s firm. He is also invited to speak at the civil rights organization run by Maya, Carmen Ejogo, where he applied for a job, and she recognizes he is a man this generation owes a debt to for all his years of fighting.
All of a sudden Roman finds himself in front of judges fighting for clients which he shouldn’t be doing for many reasons. It is at this point that the screenplay loses its way and the theme of losing one’s moral center turns into an uninteresting thriller and even Denzel Washington who gives a fine odd-ball character performance loses the audience.
Though it is a given that Farrell is, like Washington, a fine actor the two just don’t seem to be working together in the same film. There definitely should have been more of Carmen Ejogo!
“Roman J. Israel, Esq.” goes downhill after the first hour and really can’t be recommended unless you are a diehard fan of Washington, and I am, but still it is a no.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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eagleeyevikingJan 30, 2018

Denzel Washington's and Colin Farrell's commanding performances are barely enough to overcome an uneven script by Dan Gilroy that tries to tackle too many things and ends up diminishing the impact of all.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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JLuis_001Dec 12, 2017

It wasn't so bad, but the script, well I must say the film in general is never up to Denzel Washington's work
And it also wastes Colin Farrell, so yeah, it's kind of a letdown.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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amheretojudgeNov 2, 2018

grows out to be a dragger..

Roman J. Israel, Esq. Gilroy's crime drama is a susceptible victim of its own case. Bound in its own mechanical formula, the feature finds itself piled up on, on fulfilling the necessities more than its luxury.grows out to be a dragger..

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Gilroy's crime drama is a susceptible victim of its own case. Bound in its own mechanical formula, the feature finds itself piled up on, on fulfilling the necessities more than its luxury. And hence that results into lesser free range for it to completely open up its hands and welcome the concept or material; it seems like it is taken for granted in here. The narrative is adaptive and layered if not gripping and competent as the makers might suggest. Another major conundrum, is the reminiscence nature script that is on loop, which was intended to create a dramatic impact and instead grows out to be a dragger.

Washington is in his A game. He is vulnerable but not weak, he celebrates and mourns, and he teaches and preaches and in the end most importantly, he learns. Ferrell is supporting him decently but there isn't much material for him to factor in effectively, it is all Washington. The conversations are pragmatic and the dialogues are jaw-dropping-good and with a deliver like Washington, the emotions convey the message crystal clear. Somehow, the tale doesn't feel completely honest, it keeps striking you as a testimony that is polished and filtered and not an honest one; it seems more justified and it makes more sense.

The peak point of the feature itself is mediocre which is something the viewers assumes that it will come in handy considering the plot track, and yet there is very little aspect of cinematic thrills in here. After Nightcrawler, it definitely is a huge step down for Gilroy, the writer-director, whose vision is clearly misplaced and blurred. Roman J. Israel, Esq. is more of a tribute that works only for the makers passion of delivering a cut-throat crime drama, the only issue is, that there is no slicing, no drama and only a bit of a crime involved in it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ElPolloLoco82Nov 27, 2017

Denzel Washington was absolutely spectacular as Roman J. Israel, Esq. The movie surrounding him, was much less mesmerizing and definitely not at all spectacular. Roman J. Israel is an autistic, legal genius. He's also an idealist, who'sDenzel Washington was absolutely spectacular as Roman J. Israel, Esq. The movie surrounding him, was much less mesmerizing and definitely not at all spectacular. Roman J. Israel is an autistic, legal genius. He's also an idealist, who's ideals revolve around being a champion for the systemically oppressed. I failed to see the point of the movie. It didn't seem like there were any real goals to be met or achieved. Also, you're essentially left with a cliff hanger at the end of the movie. It's hard to explain these things without containing spoilers, but I will try without revealing major plot points. The cliffhanger I speak of has nothing to do with what happens to Roman J. Israel, Esq; but rather what happens with his life's work. The majority of the movie revolves around the idea that Roman J. Israel could not function in social setting, so his legal work was done in support of a partner where the partner will perform all the social duties of being a lawyer, while Roman was the legal researcher and in charge of filing legal briefs. Roman's original partner ran a pretty charitable firm, and they shared the same ideals and Roman was convinced to work with this partner for a ridiculously low salary (I think he said $500/week) because of the work they were doing to attempt to achieve their idealistic goals. During the coarse of the movie, he presses these ideals upon his peers. Most resist, but the right people start to warm up to these ideals. However, Roman then forsakes these ideals to get a taste of personal enjoyment. Even when getting surrounded with praise for his past self, and how that past self affected them so profoundly. He rejects this, and presses on them they should look toward themselves instead of others. In the end, it wasn't the positive relationships; but the fear from the negative ones that drove him back to his old self and ideals. Both of these changes came from a place of personal selfishness, rather than some profound revelation. There was also a legal briefing he spent his life working on, and this takes a back seat throughout 99% of the and doesn't reveal itself again until the very end. This was his legacy, and how he planned to make a name for himself. Alas, we get no closure from the briefing, but the filing of said briefing signals the closure of the film. Even a superb performance from Denzel Washington couldn't save this film for it's bout with mediocrity. I'd suggest to wait for this to come on one of the many streaming services or Red Box. It's not worth the money to see at the theater.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's not often you can say that Denzel Washington plays a socially awkward character but in this film, he does. At times I shared his frustration at other peoples somewhat aggressive or seemingly unfair, snappy type responses to him and at others, I felt frustrated at the somewhat quirky way he dealt with things. There's some decent dialogue present and I could, on a personal level, relate to his inclination to fidget and his discomfort at being challenged by people on a different level. I respected his motivation in terms of being involved in civil rights.

He becomes somewhat of an understated/subtle do-gooder when he (believes he) spots a potentially criminal situation unfolding. It'd be fair to say that this isn't a fast-paced film, neither is it entirely a crime drama. It's more of a slow character drama. There were some scenes in which I appreciated the cinematography used made it have a bit more impact than would otherwise be the case. I think, all in all, it felt a bit of a muddled film in terms of the (or lack thereof) obvious plot development. It's not an especially engaging film or very enticing/entertaining but its alright. Given its a character-driven drama about a person who prefers to stay away from the limelight, then I guess that's sort of a given. I did think Denzel gave a pretty convincing performance as the titular character, seeming believably socially uncomfortable (something I have issues with myself), although I couldn't help but wish there was a little more substance or better context to the plot overall. If you're intrigued to see this in terms of discovering Roman on a personal level, as a character, then I would recommend this, not least because it's Denzel Washington playing a character type I'm not sure I'd otherwise have imagined him doing, given he tends to play assertive action/thriller character roles - I liked the character's precision and philosophical thoughtfulness but otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as such, no. Make of that what you will.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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