I somehow got the impression when I started watching this that it was based on a true story and because of that, I initially gave the production a lot more credibility than it actually ended up deserving. As it turns out, it is complete fiction. It is a decent film and Denzel Washinton films tend to be, but upon realizing that there isn't an ounce of real life in the movie, it kind of changed my overall opinion.
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Don't get the wrong idea. This film isn't bad at all. Denzel's portrayal of Roman Israel is very compelling as he plays a lawyer with a conscious who is extremely dedicated to his morals over making money just perfectly (I'm not convinced such a person actually exists though.)
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As the film begins we see Roman Israel as a highly intelligent but socially awkward lawyer who prepares legal documents as good as anyone but is extremely uncomfortable in public speaking, a characteristic that isn't terribly conducive to the profession.
He has a photograpic memory and unlike other people in the same profession he believes in strict adherence to the law rather than finding loopholes to circumvent it. He lives on a very poor salary and doesn't seem to aspire to great wealth even though he is very aware of the fact that as a lawyer in L.A., he certainly could achieve that.
Some things happen (not gonna spoil) and he finds himself being forced to work at exactly the type of firm that he despises - one of zero ethics and a strong focus on profitability rather than justice. His employer is a suave, smooth talking top-tier lawyer named George Pierce (Colin Farrell) whom he has nothing in common with ethically.
They keep him around at the firm simply because he excels at certain parts of the legal profession, none of which are getting along with other people in a normal fashion or even wearing clothes that fit him. He discovers that by being unethical, he can acquire great wealth also and slowly sees himself devolving into exactly the type of monster he spent his entire life despising.
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One of my favorite parts of the film comes about when Roman is invited to speak to a group of modern-day social justice advocates and they quickly turn on him despite the fact that he is there to help them. This happens because he is old school and uses the wrong pronouns and doesn't understand modern, sensitive terminology. I think this is fairly representative of the world we live in today.
from the official Sony Pictures Entertainment channel
There is a lot more than happens than just what i described above but I fear that I could end up providing some spoilers accidentally if I go into it.
I believe that if Denzel is involved in a project, the film is going to be good on at least a certain level because he is just such a fantastic actor. This film is no exception. While a majority of the film is just a bunch of talking, the underlying personal ethical struggle that Roman Israel undergoes is pretty compelling, and unfortunately, probably not something that a great many lawyers ever experience.
This film failed to turn a profit but resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Denzel which isn't at all surprising since the Academy loves to nominate films that nobody actually went to see at the theaters.
I normally have my mind wander during courtroom oriented dramas but somehow I walked into this film believing it was true and perhaps if I sent you that same direction and lied to you by saying that it is a true story, you would enjoy it a bunch also. However, now that I know that Roman J. Israel Esq. is a completely made up person and story, I can't really say that this one is worth watching. Basically, there are a lot better things to see out there.
My overall rating!
Not a big fan of Mr Washington. Did you know there's a tribe for Movie reviews, and it's proving a successful one?
use the #aaa tag on your future ones. I know you write lots of these and they are always well done, though usually bad reviews haha!!.. your as scathing as my restaurant ones!
https://www.triplea.reviews/movie
I remember seeing the previews for this when it came out and I was thinking it might be something that I would like to see. I agree with you that the movies they nominate for awards are typically the ones that people never go and see. I guess the awards must be the consolation prize these days for not making a ton of money :) It still sounds like something that would be good to pass the time, but not something I would carve out two hours for. Nice review!
I am a big fan of Denzel Washington. I would like to see this. I am sure it had been out forever. Lol I might have to find this one, even though you didn't love it.
Good review.
Damn. I like true stories and may watching it thinking it could be based on someone who actually exists. The idea had to come from somewhere originally and possibly could be very loosely based on someone. Have better things to watch and if I am desperate have this to fall back on. Thanks again for finding the crap we don't have to watch.
lol. well i wouldn't call it crap but yeah, there are better things to watch than this for sure.
VERY EMOTIVE THE SALES OF THAT SOMEONE
" dedicated to his morals over making money just perfectly (I'm not convinced such a person actually exists though.)" I feel the same way haha