Roman J. Israel Info

'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' Verdict: Denzel Washington Stars in a Rare Dud

Roman is introduced as a "knight in tarnished armor"—a man with a 1970s afro, a heavy briefcase, and an encyclopedic knowledge of the law, but little understanding of how the world has moved past his old-school activism. His life’s work is a massive, multi-decade class-action lawsuit aimed at dismantling the injustices of the plea-bargaining system. For forty years, he served as the "man behind the curtain" for his legendary partner, William Henry Jackson. When Jackson suffers a fatal heart attack, Roman is thrust into the daylight of a world that values profit over principles. Roman J. Israel

The film Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017) is a dense character study that examines the collision between unwavering idealism and the pragmatic, often soul-crushing realities of the modern legal system. Directed by Dan Gilroy and anchored by an Oscar-nominated performance from Denzel Washington, the movie follows an eccentric, brilliant defense attorney who has spent decades fighting for civil rights from the safety of a small, behind-the-scenes office. 'Roman J