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Roman J. Israel, Esq.

  • 20172017
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
38K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' is a dramatic thriller set in the underbelly of the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as Roman Israel, a driven, idealistic defense attorney who, through a tumultuous series of events, finds himself in a crisis that leads to extreme action. Colin Farrell costars as the monied, cutthroat lawyer who recruits Roman to his firm.
Play trailer2:42
11 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller

Roman J. Israel, Esq., a driven, idealistic defense attorney, finds himself in a tumultuous series of events that lead to a crisis and the necessity for extreme action.Roman J. Israel, Esq., a driven, idealistic defense attorney, finds himself in a tumultuous series of events that lead to a crisis and the necessity for extreme action.Roman J. Israel, Esq., a driven, idealistic defense attorney, finds himself in a tumultuous series of events that lead to a crisis and the necessity for extreme action.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
38K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Dan Gilroy
  • Writer
    • Dan Gilroy
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Colin Farrell
    • Carmen Ejogo
Top credits
  • Director
    • Dan Gilroy
  • Writer
    • Dan Gilroy
  • Stars
    • Denzel Washington
    • Colin Farrell
    • Carmen Ejogo
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 241User reviews
    • 166Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos11

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:42
    Trailer #2
    B A C K  T O  M Y  R O O T S
    Clip 1:00
    B A C K T O M Y R O O T S
    Polite
    Clip 0:40
    Polite
    Make A Deal
    Clip 1:04
    Make A Deal
    M A K E  A  D E A L
    Clip 1:04
    M A K E A D E A L
    B A C K  T O  M Y  R O O T S
    Clip 1:00
    B A C K T O M Y R O O T S
    Polite
    Clip 0:42
    Polite
    Clip
    Clip 1:12
    Clip
    Ill Take Over
    Clip 1:14
    Ill Take Over
    'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' Q&A With Denzel Washington and Director Dan Gilroy
    Interview 15:40
    'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' Q&A With Denzel Washington and Director Dan Gilroy
    The 'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' Cast and the Movies They're Thankful For
    Video 1:33
    The 'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' Cast and the Movies They're Thankful For

    Photos143

    Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington and Carmen Ejogo in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington and Dan Gilroy in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington at an event for Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
    Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denzel Washington
    Denzel Washington
    • Roman J. Israel, Esq.as Roman J. Israel, Esq.
    Colin Farrell
    Colin Farrell
    • George Pierceas George Pierce
    Carmen Ejogo
    Carmen Ejogo
    • Maya Alstonas Maya Alston
    Lynda Gravatt
    • Vernita Wellsas Vernita Wells
    Amanda Warren
    Amanda Warren
    • Lynn Jacksonas Lynn Jackson
    Hugo Armstrong
    Hugo Armstrong
    • Fritz Molinaras Fritz Molinar
    Sam Gilroy
    Sam Gilroy
    • Connor Novickas Connor Novick
    Tony Plana
    Tony Plana
    • Jessie Salinasas Jessie Salinas
    DeRon Horton
    DeRon Horton
    • Derrell Ellerbeeas Derrell Ellerbee
    Amari Cheatom
    Amari Cheatom
    • Carter Johnsonas Carter Johnson
    Vince Cefalu
    Vince Cefalu
    • Security Bailiffas Security Bailiff
    Tarina Pouncy
    Tarina Pouncy
    • Hallway Bailiffas Hallway Bailiff
    Nazneen Contractor
    Nazneen Contractor
    • Melina Nassour (Ass't. DA)as Melina Nassour (Ass't. DA)
    Niles Fitch
    Niles Fitch
    • Langston Baileyas Langston Bailey
    Jocelyn Ayanna
    Jocelyn Ayanna
    • Court Officer Bailiffas Court Officer Bailiff
    Eli Bildner
    Eli Bildner
    • Prosecutor Michael Wesleyas Prosecutor Michael Wesley
    Robert Prescott
    Robert Prescott
    • Hon. Adam W. Hilliardas Hon. Adam W. Hilliard
    Sedale Threatt Jr.
    Sedale Threatt Jr.
    • Jeffas Jeff
    • Director
      • Dan Gilroy
    • Writer
      • Dan Gilroy
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. is a dramatic thriller set in the underbelly of the overburdened Los Angeles criminal court system. Denzel Washington stars as Roman Israel, a driven, idealistic defense attorney who, through a tumultuous series of events, finds himself in a crisis that leads to extreme action. Colin Farrell costars as the monied, cutthroat lawyer who recruits Roman to his firm. —Sony Pictures
    • lawyer
    • court
    • murder
    • los angeles california
    • courtroom
    • 50 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • All rise.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for language and some violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the film there's a visible gap between Denzel Washington's two front teeth. He had the gap fixed with dental caps sometime after high school, but decided to remove them for this role.
    • Goofs
      The entire film happens over three weeks' time, but when it's mentioned that William is in a coma, which occurs at the beginning of the movie, Roman states that he has been in a coma for several weeks already.
    • Quotes

      Roman J. Israel, Esq.: Each of us is better than the worst thing we ever did.

    • Alternate versions
      After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film was re-cut by director Dan Gilroy and star Denzel Washington. The new version is 12 minutes shorter than the festival premiere. In addition to dropping some scenes, the film now features different music on the soundtrack (replacing a number of songs) and moves a scene depicting Roman and Israel going to a Lakers game at the Staples Center to an earlier point in the story.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Denzel Washington/Allison Williams/Talib Kweli ft. Rick Ross & Yummy Bingham (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Keep On Truckin'
      Written by Leonard Caston, Anita Poree and Frank E. Wilson

      Performed by Eddie Kendricks

      Courtesy of Motown Records

      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

    User reviews241

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Interesting story, told poorly but acted by Denzel brilliantly.
    This film was Dan Gilroy's second directorial debut, and although his forte of experience is writing, he failed that department, and did better in his directing (camera work, but not his choice of editing).

    The problem with the writing is the dragged out mumbo-jumbo Denzel Washington had to say to express his savant mentality, most of it not making any sense or philosophically unnecessary, and it extended into 2+ hours of doing so. Denzel carried his role so exceptionally well, that had this film been edited down to 80 or 90 mins by getting rid of the convoluted and unnecessary dialogue, it would have been dramatized much better.

    Then there's the premise to the film; standing all this time for a cause, then slipping to the other side, then going back. What was the point? What was the message?

    This film is nothing extraordinary, but nevertheless, Denzel and Colin Farrell's great acting were the only reason this film has as high (6.3) of a rating as it does, and would have been much lower with any sub-A list actors, or higher with better writing.

    It's a generous 7/10 from me
    helpful•74
    31
    • Top_Dawg_Critic
    • Feb 2, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 22, 2017 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United Arab Emirates
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Sony Pictures
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Armenian
    • Also known as
      • Inner City
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • BRON Studios
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Cross Creek Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $22,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,962,778
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $61,999
      • Nov 19, 2017
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,025,860
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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