Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

2017Movie122 minEnglish

Hard-nosed liberal lawyer Roman J. Israel has been fighting the good fight forever while others take the credit. When his partner – the firm's frontman – has a heart attack, Israel suddenly takes on that role. He soon discovers some unsettling truths about the firm – truths that conflict with his values of helping the poor and dispossessed – and finds himself in an existential crisis that leads to extreme actions.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes53%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users74%
Director: Dan GilroyGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

In Los Angeles, dedicated defense attorney Roman J. Israel works behind the scenes on complex cases, believing in justice for all. When his mentor dies and the firm collapses, Roman finds himself in a precarious financial and ethical situation. He takes a job at a predatory firm, which forces him to confront his ideals and question his own integrity as he navigates a path toward redemption.

Critical Reception

Roman J. Israel, Esq. received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising Denzel Washington's performance but finding the plot and character development less compelling. The film was noted for its exploration of themes surrounding justice, ethics, and the legal system.

What Reviewers Say

  • Denzel Washington delivers a masterful performance that anchors the film.
  • The legal drama's narrative is somewhat uneven, struggling to maintain momentum.
  • The film raises interesting questions about justice and morality but doesn't always provide satisfying answers.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated Denzel Washington's strong performance and the film's thought-provoking themes about the legal profession. However, some viewers found the plot to be predictable and the pacing slow.

Awards & Accolades

Denzel Washington was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film.

Fun Fact

Denzel Washington initially turned down the role, but Dan Gilroy's persistent vision and script revisions convinced him to take it on.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
r96sk

r96sk

Denzel Washington is a delight to watch in <em>'Roman J. Israel, Esq.'</em>. I thoroughly liked the vast majority of this film, but even so it would be so much worse off if it wasn't for Washington; who nails his performance. Away from t...