Oscar season continues, and with it comes one of its most celebrated actors.
Denzel Washington’s work in this emotional legal drama has earned him his fourth Oscar nomination in five years (his eighth overall). The film itself, however, been met with some mixed responses, so does the story live up to its lofty star’s abilities?
Washington plays the title role of Roman J. Israel, Esq. He’s something of a man out of time; a relic from the era of 70’s civil activism, who has spent over thirty years in the back office of his law firm, doing the hard work for his partner who is more presentable in court.
When his partner dies, Roman discovers the firm is broke and takes a job at a large legal firm for George Pierce (Colin Farrell), a hotshot lawyer who recognises Roman’s savant-like talent for the law, but doesn’t share his ideals.
Faced with the dirty business of big money legal work for the first time, Roman struggles against a broken system.
It’s best to start with Washington’s performance, which holds up the entire film. Sporting wacky clothes and anti-social twitches, he throws himself into the character in a way only an actor of his calibre can.
Throughout the story, he portrays the agony of a man who doesn’t understand why the world can’t be more fair. He’s a true believer in a profession that runs on personal interest.
It’s more masterful work from the actor, which makes you wonder why the film around him can’t rise to his level. He’s a great character stuck in an average movie, as the film drags through moral cliches and is content to see Roman butt his head against a wall for the first hour.
Even the half-way point twist, where he decides enough is enough, is sloppily handled.
Washington’s support is capable, but unremarkable. His main co-star, Farrell, looks the part as the cynical suit who doesn’t have time for his new employee’s causes. That’s about as far as it goes, however, as he is simply used as simply a tool to move the plot along. Roman’s connection with an equally idealistic young civil rights lawyer (Carmen Ejojo) also feels under-cooked.
Ending with a righteous but unsatisfying conclusion, Roman J. Israel, Esq. is best enjoyed by those who value performance over plot. It’s a film that show’s Washington’s desire, forty years into his career, to take on new and exciting parts. It’s also a prime example of how even an Oscar-worthy turn can’t paper over the cracks.
Roman J. Israel, Eqs is out in cinemas on 2 February 2018.
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