When Roman J. Israel, Esq. first graced screens in 2017, it didn’t resonate with all viewers, including myself initially. My original review, penned shortly after seeing it, reflected a sense of disorientation, a feeling that the narrative lacked focus. While Denzel Washington’s performance as the titular lawyer and Colin Farrell’s role as a morally ambiguous attorney were bright spots, the film as a whole felt somewhat underwhelming.
However, in the years that have passed, Roman J. Israel, Esq. has steadily grown in my estimation. The perceived lack of a central narrative now appears as a deliberate strength, mirroring the complex and often meandering nature of life itself. And Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Roman, a character both captivating and frustrating, has lingered in my thoughts, proving far more memorable than many superficially impressive performances. This nuanced depiction of a lawyer is a key reason why revisiting Denzel Washington’s filmography reveals a fascinating pattern of characters navigating the legal world.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. deliberately avoids a straightforward plot structure. Roman, the character Denzel Washington embodies, has dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice. Beginning as a civil rights activist and evolving into a poorly compensated lawyer, his focus remains steadfastly on safeguarding the civil liberties of criminal defendants. His life’s defining work is the meticulous preparation of a legal brief, aimed at advocating for comprehensive reforms to the plea bargain system – a system often criticized for disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. The narrative shifts when Roman’s longtime mentor and boss passes away. This pivotal event propels him into the unfamiliar, high-stakes environment of a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. Here, he encounters Colin Farrell’s George, a high-powered lawyer who embodies corporate law’s slick and pragmatic approach. George is a study in contrasts, simultaneously admiring Roman’s unwavering principles and finding his rigid moral compass profoundly exasperating. This dynamic creates a compelling tension, highlighting the clash between idealism and the realities of the modern legal system.
Throughout the film, subtle cues suggest Roman may be neurodivergent, although this is never explicitly stated. Denzel Washington’s performance masterfully emphasizes Roman’s unwavering moral code, which appears rooted in an unshakeable belief in universal, inviolable rules. This conviction manifests as a noticeable inflexibility, leading to social awkwardness and difficulties in navigating everyday interpersonal interactions. He struggles to connect with new acquaintances and rarely engages in courtroom arguments, preferring the meticulous work behind the scenes. This characterization underscores a critical aspect of Denzel Washington’s performance as a lawyer: the emphasis on internal conviction over external showmanship.
The film’s central theme, I believe, transcends a simple diagnosis of Roman’s potential neurodiversity. Instead of resorting to exaggerated physical mannerisms, a common trope in portrayals of neurodivergent characters, Washington opts for remarkable restraint. He utilizes his characteristic articulate speech patterns, but dials down the intensity, maintaining a low-key simmer. Roman is not prone to outbursts; his strength lies in his quiet persistence, his unwavering commitment to his principles. This subtle approach is precisely why Washington’s performance resonates so deeply, succeeding where many other portrayals of potentially neurodivergent characters fall short. It’s a testament to his skill in portraying complex characters within the legal profession, making him a standout among actors who have taken on lawyer roles.
Denzel Washington is undeniably a major movie star, yet what distinguishes him is his willingness to oscillate between the high-octane, intense roles that cemented his fame and more introspective, smaller parts that showcase the breadth of his acting capabilities. Even when embodying a quintessential “Denzel Washington role,” as seen in his Oscar-nominated performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth, he consistently introduces unexpected and intriguing performance choices. His Macbeth, for instance, often appears to be improvising his way through a series of increasingly dire situations, adding a layer of vulnerability to a traditionally powerful character. This willingness to subvert expectations is a hallmark of his career, and it’s evident even in his portrayal of lawyers.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. followed directly after Washington’s powerful, commanding performance as Troy Maxson in the 2016 film adaptation of August Wilson’s seminal play Fences, which he also directed. It’s difficult to conceive of two roles more diametrically opposed than Troy and Roman. Troy is a volcano of suppressed frustration, perpetually on the verge of eruption, while Roman is a man quietly striving to contribute good to the world. This stark contrast highlights Washington’s incredible range and his dedication to choosing roles that challenge him, especially within the legal drama genre.
In the realm of screen acting, audiences and critics often readily appreciate the raw power an actor brings to a character like Troy, whose pent-up resentments threaten to explode into violence at any moment. However, it’s crucial not to underestimate the complexity inherent in portraying a character like Roman. His quiet strength and unwavering morality present a different, but equally demanding, acting challenge.
In conversations with fellow actors over the years, discussions about the most challenging roles frequently arise. Many have cited the difficulty of embodying a character who is consistently moral and virtuous. Audiences are often more drawn to characters who make flawed choices, perhaps because witnessing wrongdoing is inherently more dramatic and entertaining. Depicting someone who simply strives to do the right thing, even when confronted with obstacles and systemic resistance, is a far more subtle and nuanced undertaking for an actor. This is precisely what Denzel Washington achieves in Roman J. Israel, Esq. He masterfully conveys the frustrating aspects of dealing with someone possessing an unwavering, almost inflexible, moral compass – a quality I didn’t fully grasp in my initial assessment. In scene after scene, Roman enters spaces where others assume they can compromise his ethics, yet he consistently emerges uncorrupted. This steadfastness, while seemingly undramatic, is precisely the point. The film poignantly illustrates how the world often steamrolls individuals like Roman, regardless of their inherent goodness or the star power of the actor portraying them.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. is the second directorial effort from Dan Gilroy. Gilroy, known for his screenwriting work, debuted as a director with the critically acclaimed 2014 film Nightcrawler, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a disturbingly amoral videographer chasing violent crime footage in Los Angeles. Intriguingly, Nightcrawler and Roman J. Israel, Esq. function as mirror images of each other. Nightcrawler posits that the amoral often succeed simply through sheer will and disregard for ethics, while Roman J. Israel, Esq. suggests that in a morally compromised world, individuals with integrity can still achieve a measure of success – but only to a certain point, and often at a great personal cost. This inherent tension forms the core of Roman J. Israel, Esq., and the casting of Denzel Washington is nothing short of genius. Audiences are accustomed to seeing Washington dominate the screen, often portraying characters who achieve their objectives through force of personality and charisma. Roman is a fundamentally good man, and conventional movie narratives might lead us to expect a triumphant outcome for a good man played by Denzel Washington. However, Roman J. Israel, Esq. subverts this expectation, arguing that perhaps the world is too flawed, too resistant to genuine goodness, to allow even a charismatic and principled individual, portrayed by a movie star like Denzel Washington, to succeed indefinitely. This subversion of expectations is what elevates the film beyond a typical legal drama and solidifies its place in the landscape of Denzel Washington’s lawyer movie roles.
While Roman J. Israel, Esq. may not have reached the status of a universally recognized masterpiece, it’s a film that has lingered in my consciousness long after my initial viewing and lukewarm reception. Not every element of the movie is flawless, but enough components, particularly Denzel Washington’s compelling performance, resonate deeply, prompting continued reflection on its themes and characters years later. Films exploring the challenges of maintaining morality are relatively common. However, movies that approach this theme with the nuanced and unconventional perspective of Roman J. Israel, Esq. deserve appreciation, even if they are not without their imperfections. Denzel Washington’s portrayal of a lawyer in this film is a standout example of his ability to bring depth and complexity to roles within the legal genre, making it a worthwhile addition to any discussion of his most memorable performances.
Roman J. Israel, Esq., is currently available for digital rental and purchase, allowing audiences to re-evaluate this complex film and Denzel Washington’s performance in the context of his broader career and the lawyer movie genre.
