Roman J. Israel, Esq. follows an idealistic, socially awkward defense attorney (Denzel Washington) who has spent decades working behind the scenes in a small Los Angeles law firm. When his partner—the face of the firm—suffers a heart attack, Roman is thrust into the spotlight and forced to confront the harsh realities of a justice system he’s long tried to reform. As he joins a slick corporate firm led by George Pierce (Colin Farrell), Roman grapples with his principles, leading to a moral crisis when he’s tempted by a risky decision with serious consequences. Directed by Dan Gilroy, the film is a character-driven legal drama about integrity, compromise, and the cost of staying true to one’s beliefs.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.
