Review of Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) by Kenr — 24 Sep 2018

Here’s an intriguing story that’s well produced, photographed, and acted - with a standout turn by Denzel Washington as Roman J. Israel. The central idea and character are both compelling - offering many beguiling situations throughout its fascinating premise.

But is it perhaps tending to be let down in the form of a relatively unconvincing turnaround of Roman’s long-held personal principles? Roman has worked in the backroom of a two man law firm for most of his working life.

He’s an upper middle-aged character with a superior memory who’s employed to administer advice on complex justice issues. He’s developed limited interpersonal life skills and holds to his strong idealistic beliefs that within an opportunistic law system - the poor have little or no opportunities for true legal justice.

He also sees plea bargaining as too often a corrupt method of achieving a ‘just’ outcome. Over several decades, he’s been working on a system to introduce considerable, overdue reforms of the entire justice administration, then.

.. Following a couple of unexpected disruptive events in his somewhat suppressed life – Roman allows himself to give in to corruption and material wealth – all within what seems like a handful of weeks.

Washington is so good, he almost convinces us to accept these near outlandish behavioural transitions until it all begins to unravel. Talented writer-director Dan Gilroy edited out several scenes prior to general release and this may have been an unwise decision - with a little more character or script development this fine story could have ended up a great story - as is, it’s a tour de force performance within a most interesting piece of socially aware storytelling - wrapped up in a near perfect movie.

Of course, it could be argued that Roman’s physiological disorder might have influenced his uncharacteristic turnaround but, maybe this could also be a long bow to draw(?). Recommended for lovers of interesting movie making that falls just a little short of the goals it strives for - while always remaining above average and definitely well worth seeing.