Veteran Los Angeles lawyer Roman J. Israel's guarded existence behind the scenes—writing legal briefs, memorizing even arcane case law, etc.—is upended when his long-term partner goes into a coma. Israel's subsequent move to a far larger and more prestigious firm precipitates crises both personal and professional. This is a very fascinating and very flawed film in almost equal measure. It features a detailed and sensitive performance by Denzel Washington as the Asperger-afflicted title character and several cogent ideas regarding idealism versus pragmatism and the intersection of finance and law. At the same time, it never entirely coheres; its rhythm is odd, with notably underplayed moments giving way to abrupt and heavy-handed gestures. And, in general, it begins more strongly than it ends...where we find Roman J. Israel, and his halting first steps into an era unfamiliar to him, are more haunting and thought-provoking than the suspense-film plot machinations ensnaring him in the film's final minutes.

B

This belongs on cable tv not in a cinema.

C

Roman J. Israel, Esq. was a nice change of pace detailing an offbeat lawyer's culminating month. *B+*

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Following a back room flower power activist as he is promoted to the main stage of procedural criminal defence courts, Roman J. Israel, Esq. chronicles the last three weeks in the life of the titular character. Competently performed by Denzel Washington, this legal drama is engaging on some level but unfortunately does not reach the heights that it intends. If there was an idea that this film wanted to communicate, it got lost among legal jargon and uneven pacing. Washington plays Israel with simmering peculiarities, but this should have been heightened to isolate the character as a true eccentric. Wasted potential right there! Colin Farrell plays the owner of law firm, Gary Pierce, but he is so miscast. The role deserves a conventional career high-flyer type who later overturns his capitalist principles to share in some of Israel's progressive ideas. Instead, Farrell comes across as some local mafia boss with his short stature, soft voice, and tailored suits. The final scene gives Israel his legacy, but it does nothing for Farrell's character.

B

Yeah this was good, but nothing special. Denzel is great as always, but this movie got really muddled towards the end IMO. I definitely think it started off a lot stronger than it ended and maybe that's the result of some weak/rushed writing. I liked Colin Farrell's and Carmen Ejogo's characters, especially their interactions with Denzel's character, but their roles didn't really seem to add up to much in the end which is somewhat disappointing.

B