Also, most underrated and under-appreciated Denzel Washington role. I heard from a movie industry insider that Denzel's star power didn't draw many of his usual fans because they didn't want to see him playing an un-sexy, nerdy or unattractive character. But I agree with other reviewers who say this is his best performance in any film. I found the title character of Roman J. Israel, Esq. to be unforgettable, unique and deeply moving, The script is terrific, the supporting actors uniformly good. Colin Farrell's reaction shots are priceless. But most of all, the story is relevant, meaningful, and engrossing. Los Angeles provides the perfect backdrop for a new breed of American hero...

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.

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.

Utterly watchable, brilliant in every way. This movie seems to have either the highest review scores or the lowest, with little in between.A quality drama with an amazing and unusual story, the type of film rarely seen coming from the dross of Hollywood these days, if you have any insight and enjoy true movie value, this is one for you.I will need to watch this again. Some of the one liners have such wisdoms without in any way attempting to be 'wise', 'clever' or 'meaningful', but simply reflect the quality of the movie.