ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, QUIRKY

Film Review by FIORE

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ is the perfect example of how a quality star can bring enjoyment to a mundane film.  Denzel Washington plays the title character.  Colin Farrell is his co-star.  Together, they unite a story that seems to time shift eras, and features a delineated antagonist.

Basically, ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ is the story of a man out of time.  Sequestered in the back rooms of a small law firm, Israel finds himself with extensive knowledge of the law, but lacking in the social mores needed to succeed in a modern society.  When the owner of the law firm dies, and a high-profile outfit takes over the practice, Israel is conflicted between his legal knowledge and his existence in a world nearly a half century in the past.

Everyone who encounters Israel realizes he is a diamond in the rough; and while he is lacking in social graces, he and his beliefs are more than relevant in this modern society.  He is, in short, inspirational.  Starring with Washington and Farrell is Carmen Ejogo, who provides a romantic twist to the tale.

I can’t begin to relate to the problems encountered by Negroes before the Civil Rights Act, but I can relate to a man out of time.  Here, Washington’s performance is stellar.  The ideals he professes are altruistic, and sorely lacking in today’s world.  The contrast between Roman’s idealism and George’s pragmaticism is stark.  The film’s conflict arises when Roman opts to visit, and then reside on the other side of the street and partake of the honey bacon maple donuts.  

There are intrinsic foibles with ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.  The antagonist is given short shrift.  Originally depicted as a hoodlum robbing a local store, he inexplicably evolves into a well-connected actor.  It is never revealed who he is connected with, nor what their place is in the criminal world.  It makes their actions in the conclusion inexplicable.

Like most tragic heroes, Roman must grow before he returns to his true self, though I must admit I don’t think I personally would have returned to the ideals of the past, once his new outlook on life proved so magnanimous. 

ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ is worth a view, simply on star power alone.  Washington and Farrell combine to allow the viewer to gloss over the quirks in the script.  Ben Affleck played a better savant in THE ACCOUNTANT, but Washington is yeoman like in this portrayal.