Roman J. Israel, Esq.

2017 "All rise."
6.5| 2h2m| PG-13| en| More Info
Released: 17 November 2017 Released
Producted By: Columbia Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

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.

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rmckenzie5 I don't get it. Is this a story about why you shouldn't be unethical? Why you shouldn't take pro bono work? If it's about the work Roman was doing, the movie sure didn't make it the primary story. I kept waiting for it to get to the point, but it never did. Great actors. Horrible writing. Horrible directing. Horrible overall storyline.
Isle1970 And sometimes so do movies. I can forgive the flaws though, because the message, the acting, and the call to action the film inspires are more than worthy of watching.I gave it a 10 to counter the people unjustly giving it 1 or 2 stars, but I would rate it a 9 otherwise. There were a couple of script choices I would have liked tightened up a bit, or made more obviously relevant to the scene. There were some characters that could have been a bit more fleshed out. But the beauty of being the director is that you get to tell your story, your way. I can respect that, and I didn't let those things distract from the underlying story.Denzel was phenomenal, and Colin Farrel was very good as well. It was so interesting watching the parallel of their existential journeys, and witnessing the truth that we can simultaneously be an inspiration to others while privately losing our own way. To know that even if the mighty fall, there is always something redemptive we can and should do. That forgiveness, and self-forgiveness heals the soul. Unlike other reviews, I didn't mind the ending. It left me wanting more, at first. But I watched that final scene one more time, and I had an epiphany: WE are the rest of the story. Colin's character is all of us. We are left facing the clerk of court, because WE are the change we seek. And there are many whose shoulders we can stand on to do so. Many whose work remains unfinished unless we pick it up and finish it.This movie has an indie vibe in that not every single thing is spelled out for you, but it also has excellent cinematography, excellent acting from all - but especially the 3 main characters, but most importantly, this film gently knocks on your internal convictions and sense of self. I do highly recommend this movie for the deep thinkers out there. If you're more into action/adventure/comedy, this is not the Denzel movie for you.
johnjohhn Just rented this one from RedBox...The plus 4 is for Mr Washingtons performance...the minus 6 is for the movie it self.Washingtons performance is well... what you would expect from that man. Great ! He clearly has become the person that is needed to portray the charter Roman. There is no confusion in your mind about who this guy is.That being said...there is only the story...which in the sum of its parts - implodes on it self....starting at the very beginning when Roman types out that he is a hypocrite. And thats pretty much what happens.Roman is stuck in the sixties and stuck on ideals that no longer exists. He thinks he is so right and everybody else is wrong. He thinks his values are so just and everybody else is corrupt. And every chance he gets he goes off on some long tangent with lawyer mumbo jumbo or how he has a master plan to get society and the justice system back on track...but it never leaves his briefcase. And all the speeches turn into blah, blah, blah....blah, blah.He talks alot about doing something, but ultimately does nothing...much in the same way the movie goes. There are people in the movie who care about him...but he has isolated himself in spite of that. A guy who thinks he is such a great lawyer yet continually proves how in capable he is (Contempt of court, betrays clients confidentiality, he actually doesn't get anyone out of their situation, almost gets fired for trying to negotiate a plea with no authority, etc, etc..) And he just cant keep from pissing people off...either by his actions or his words.And those actions ultimately drives him to become the aforementioned hypocrite...to which after that makes the movie pointless and after that one finds themselves starting to glance at the clock wondering how much longer this is going to go on.The movie goes this way..and that way....righteous speeches that turn into blah, blah blah. Values that turn corrupt. A struggle of wanting to make a change and nothing happens. A plot that is trying to make you like and admire the character...who actually annoys you. And the ending that you saw coming much earlier....where everything comes crashing down.And even as the credits begin to roll and Collins character tries to take up the cause of this man, you are already aware there is nothing so great about Roman J Israel Esq....or the movie.
mwakesberg About 45 minutes into the movie I said to my wife while watching the DVR of this movie : "see I know how to pick movies" with an air of self satisfaction usually reserved for more profound exclamation.s. As the movie continued to slog toward it's very welcomed end, I became increasingly anxious that my reputation would suffer tremendously. Sad to say I am now in the process of making amends that will take years to pay. The acting was only ok as well,unusual for Mr. Washington. O well, no one is perfect. Anyway, in summary, the movie starts off promising although not original and meanders off a cliff. A very tall cliff by the way, so save your money and go see Death of Stalin.