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Roman J. Israel, Esq.
2017 122 min United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Canada, China PG-13 18+
★6.6
Drama, Crime, Thriller
Director: Dan Gilroy
Trailers
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Description
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.
Budget:
$22M
US Gross:
$11.96M
Worldwide:
$13.03M
Starring
Denzel Washington
Actor
Colin Farrell
Actor
Carmen Ejogo
Actor
Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2018
— Best Actor
Golden Globe 2018
— Best Actor (Drama)
Academy Awards 2018
— Best Actor
Key opinion
Roman J. Israel, Esq. is widely regarded as a character-driven drama that hinges entirely on Denzel Washington's transformative performance. While the premise is often cited as interesting and ambitious, critics are deeply divided over the execution, frequently criticizing the film's unfocused narrative and uneven script.
| Acting | Denzel Washington delivers a powerful, immersive performance that remains the film's most consistent and celebrated asset. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay fails to provide a cohesive narrative arc, resulting in a thin, disjointed story that struggles to maintain momentum. | |
| Acting | Colin Farrell provides a competent and adequate supporting performance, though he does not elevate the material beyond the familiar. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing and two-hour runtime are contentious, with some finding the contemplative tempo rewarding while others describe the experience as stagnant and exhausting. | |
| Theme | Opinions on the thematic depth are split, as some viewers appreciate the exploration of moral compromise, while others feel the film overreaches by clumsily connecting disparate activist ideas. |