Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»3041. Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

    3041. Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on August 1, 2020 120-129 mins, 2017, 6 - 7.9, Aug 20, Crime, Drama, Movies Of 2020, Review, Thriller, United States
    7.0 A mixed bag
    • Acting 7.4
    • Directing 7.0
    • Story 6.7
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo

    Director: Dan Gilroy

    Running Time: 122 mins


    Roman J. Israel, Esq. is an American film about a defense lawyer with strong principles who finds himself fighting against injustice in society and in the law profession, struggling to cope with the pressure that his activism brings.

    A frustratingly imperfect legal drama that aims high but achieves little, Roman J. Israel, Esq. is far from the inspiring, insightful and challenging film it hopes to be. It may have an excellent central performance from Denzel Washington, but the film lacks real emotional resonance, and takes a rather convoluted path through an overlong story.

    On the bright side, the film’s message about both the importance and the perils of activism is really strong. Centring on an idealistic and driven lawyer who always champions those facing injustice in court, Roman J. Israel is an inspiring lead, and his almost undying commitment to the cause he cares so much for is really wonderful to see.

    However, what’s even more impressive about the film is the way that it looks at the other side of the coin. Many films are able to talk about the inspiring side of activism, but the most unique thing about this movie is how it reflects on the personal consequences of a committed fight and what happens when a seemingly undying passion begins to waiver.

    That comes to a head towards the final act of the film, and proves both the most interesting and emotionally resonant theme it touches on. Its opening act is inspiring on a superficial level, but it’s the unique yet realistic perspective the film gives on this topic that really impresses.

    The other big positive here comes in the form of the central performance from Denzel Washington. Entirely convincing in portraying the passion of his character throughout, Washington is captivating in the lead role, impressing hugely with an idiosyncratic turn that’s neither comically exaggerated nor overly understated.

    He’s likeable and memorable throughout, and though many of his co-stars fail to capture the imagination in similar fashion, Washington carries this movie for a large part of the runtime.

    The problem with Roman J. Israel, Esq. is that it’s a legal drama without much gripping drama, or even much in the way of good legal intrigue. With the exception of the above, the way the film handles the emotional struggles of its main character and the plights of many of the supporting players is lacking, and becomes lost in the midst of an unnecessarily convoluted screenplay.

    Struggling to find its identity as an emotional drama, a legal drama or even a crime thriller, Roman J. Israel, Esq. is all over the space from start to finish. And with a wobbly pace and a lack of the sleek style that this legal drama would have benefitted from hugely, it’s really difficult to get into the movie at any point during its rather overlong two-hour runtime.

    As a result, despite a few bright sparks in the form of a unique dramatic focus and an excellent lead performance from Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a bit of a mixed bag. Lacking the emotional resonance, the sleek style and the consistent dramatic depth to really grab your attention, the film is an often frustrating watch, and fails to live up to its high aims of being an inspirational, touching and thrilling film. So, that’s why I’m giving it a 7.0 overall.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.3
    Review
    June 25, 20200

    2998. Zodiac (2007)

    8.1
    Review
    April 22, 20210

    3324. Dangerous Minds (1995)

    8.3
    Review
    January 10, 20150

    812. American Sniper (2014)

    8.4
    Review
    November 18, 20140

    755. Persepolis (2007)

    8.4
    Review
    January 25, 20190

    2432. Toc Toc (2017)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.