Roman J. Israel Esq review: Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell lead the cast of the drama from Nightcrawler director Dan Gilroy.
Roman J. Israel Esq review by Tina Baraga.
Roman J. Israel Esq review
In the age of corruption and greed we are made to believe that superheroes are a thing of fantasy, someone you may find while flicking through the pages of a science fiction book. But if they were real, they would come in the form of Roman J. Israel, Esq.
A man true and honest to his core, Roman (Denzel Washington) is what one could describe as a modern day hero. The esquire in his name stands to that, representing “a title of dignity, slightly above gentleman, below knight”. Working most of his life as the behind-the-scenes brain of a two-man law firm aimed at helping the underprivileged, Roman’s life takes a sudden turn when his partner passes away.
Roman J. Israel Esq review
The law firm is taken over by his deceased partner’s ex-student George Pierce (Colin Farrell), a successful attorney who stands for everything Roman has fought against. Surrounded by a corporate and money-driven world and faced with the futility of his life’s work, Roman starts to question his fundamental beliefs and his life as a social warrior.
Related: Nightcrawler review
Washington is at the top of his game, developing the character of Roman through a unique and captivating performance. From the slight limp in his walk from the heavy briefcase he carries around filled with his life’s work to his awkward and pained expressions, he captures the essence of a man torn between idealism and reality. A man caught between making the world a fairer place and the sacrifices needed to achieve this.
Roman J. Israel Esq review
While the actors bring their a-game, what Dan Gilroy’s (Nightcrawler) second directorial feature film lacks is that one question that leads the narrative. In fact it does the opposite, asking more big and important questions than it is able to answer, leaving the viewer confused as to what the message of the story is. Perhaps it is about the ethics of forcing someone to mortgage their house in order to afford a good defence lawyer? Or the comparison between modern day social activism and the grassroots activists of the sixties? Maybe it is about the internal struggle between fighting for what’s right and fighting for survival? All of these are valid and important topics, but lack real development and leave the viewer feeling deflated and confused.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. can best be described as a hit and miss dramatic thriller which takes the viewer on a personal tumultuous journey showing us that although reality can bring down even the most resilient modern day heroes, their passion may be an important inspiration to the people that surround them.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. review, by Tina Baraga, January 2018.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. is showing in UK cinemas from Friday 2nd February 2018.
