Review of Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) by Jonathan B — 08 Jan 2018

The first half of the movie was awesome. loved denzel. loved to story. loved the cause and what he was fighting for. loved the insight into someone who had dedicated his life to that. But thats where I wanted to the movie to continue to. I wanted it to be about a new generation hearing his words and learning his lessons. I wanted it to be about him taking the fight to the next level. The movie spent too much time talking about the specifics of his cause and seeing him in action to be turn into a movie about a guy who falls to the ills of money and greed. I get the lesson that its teaching and I didnt find it heavy handed at all in the respect (that would be like calling shakespeare heavy handed.. shame on any reviewer who felt it was). I think what it was saying was that greed only needs to get you a litle before youre whole movement can come ff the rails. but thats not what the first half of the movie was about. I was so much more interested in that.

But what a performance by denzel. he just keeps adding incredible performances to his resume. and what I like about his career is that his role are still relatable in a way. and hes played some big guys some over the top guys. but compare it to someone like daniel day lewis, who I always feel is playing someone loftier and so much more further removed from a reality that we live in. Denzel is the man.

Dan Gilroy is the absolute greatest filmmaker.. but he is one who directorial career is well worth following.