Roman J. Israel, Esq.
=movie.status.copy 2018
Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell star in this dramatic courtroom thriller from the director of Nightcrawler.
Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when a turbulent series of events challenge the activism that has defined his career. Farrell costars as the ambitious, monied lawyer who recruits Roman to his firm.
Collider
press
It's a movie that could have packed an emotional punch and considered the cost of pursuing purity, but instead it settles for schmaltz.
Hollywood Reporter
press
Unfortunately, something at the centre just doesn't hold, and it flies apart over the course of 133 minutes into confusing shards of plot, legalese-heavy monologues and ... a touch of soggy sentimentality in the home stretch.
Screen International
press
Denzel Washington gives a terrifically off-kilter performance in this fascinating and flawed character study that frustratingly can't meld all its ambitions into a coherent and satisfying whole.
The Guardian (UK)
press
It's not a role we're used to seeing Washington play... but he's never been better.
Vanity Fair
press
Its depiction of weary activism, both lost and renewed, is well-suited to our dark times.
Variety (USA)
press
Roman is a fantastic character, and Washington's high-wire performance is one of his most daring and compelling.
Vulture
press
This is a formula movie but Gilroy is no hack. He hits the expected beats but with more colour and depth than you expect.