The story is surprisingly unfocused and, when it snaps out of the protracted setup phase, it plunges into quasi-thriller territory that relies on a series of hard-to-swallow contrivances.
This awkwardly titled character study overdoses on quirks and stale platitudes about social and legal injustice, leaving its intriguing title character in search of a better film.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. has pockets of intrigue, and writer-director Gilroy and Washington have teamed up to create a promising dramatic character. We just never get full delivery on that promise.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. makes room for moments that are so thought-provokingly enjoyable that the movie, which can't be called a success, may be more interesting than movies that would have garnered more praise.
What a treat it is to see this great actor, after almost 40 years in movies, give a performance that feels both utterly unexpected and completely true.
Part character study, part legal thriller and part morality tale about means manifesting their own ends, "Roman J. Israel, Esq." winds up being just as eccentric and unpredictable as its doggedly honorable, and far from perfect, leading man.
You can't stop watching [Washington] - and you can't stop wishing he didn't have to work so hard to keep the story together once it starts branching out in different directions.
