Touches You

Great Film overall

Beautiful, moving film.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

And sometimes so do movies. I can forgive the flaws though, because the message, the acting, and the call to action the film inspires are more than worthy of watching.I gave it a 10 to counter the people unjustly giving it 1 or 2 stars, but I would rate it a 9 otherwise. There were a couple of script choices I would have liked tightened up a bit, or made more obviously relevant to the scene. There were some characters that could have been a bit more fleshed out. But the beauty of being the director is that you get to tell your story, your way. I can respect that, and I didn't let those things distract from the underlying story.Denzel was phenomenal, and Colin Farrel was very good as well. It was so interesting watching the parallel of their existential journeys, and witnessing the truth that we can simultaneously be an inspiration to others while privately losing our own way. To know that even if the mighty fall, there is always something redemptive we can and should do. That forgiveness, and self-forgiveness heals the soul. Unlike other reviews, I didn't mind the ending. It left me wanting more, at first. But I watched that final scene one more time, and I had an epiphany: WE are the rest of the story. Colin's character is all of us. We are left facing the clerk of court, because WE are the change we seek. And there are many whose shoulders we can stand on to do so. Many whose work remains unfinished unless we pick it up and finish it.This movie has an indie vibe in that not every single thing is spelled out for you, but it also has excellent cinematography, excellent acting from all - but especially the 3 main characters, but most importantly, this film gently knocks on your internal convictions and sense of self. I do highly recommend this movie for the deep thinkers out there. If you're more into action/adventure/comedy, this is not the Denzel movie for you.

I gave this movie 8/10 but... the script, etc., maybe a 6. Denzel Washington's performance? A Spinal Tap 11. He is great in this film as an idiosynchratic character and completely drives it along. That's all you need to know. Watch it for the acting.

Out of all of this year's Oscar nominations, one particular nomination stood out amongst the rest as one of the more surprising and questionable picks of the whole event; Denzel Washington in the Best Actor category for his turn in Dan Gilroy's Roman J. Israel, Esq.In one of the ceremonies most loaded categories, the ever beloved Washington snuck it out of nowhere (likely claiming James Franco's spot after the actor was swept up in pre-awards controversy) to be a part of the competitors in the field and while his turn in Gilroy's film is the best thing about Roman, its still a bit of a curiosity that this middle of the road event found itself in amongst the cream of the crop in Hollywood's night of nights.Roman J. Israel the character gives Washington a chance to go all nervy, OCD and a bit chaotic as the afro sporting, old-suit wearing defence attorney finds his life routine upturned after his business partner suffers a heart attack, forcing him to seek work at Colin Farrell's more corporate law firm, leading to a series of events that turn his quiet life upside down.Israel is an interesting character, one that's hard to warm to in the typical way as his such a genuinely odd and peculiar creation, but intriguing nonetheless and Washington is as good as you'd expect an actor of his calibre to be in the role and its clear he had a lot of fun bringing Gilroy's creation to life with the long-time A-lister gaining weight, letting his hair grow out and genuinely taking things to the more extreme as Roman's life spirals on in a whirlwind of bad decisions and curious friendships.The biggest problem with Gilroy's film is that the narrative containing this curious creature isn't as engaging or smart as it likely thinks it is and while there's some interesting questions raised about the current state of the law system in America and way in which Roman feels he can help improve it, a lot of the films wannabe big moments and gun-punches never really land killer blows and it's not hard to see why this dialogue-driven drama failed to ignite with critics or audiences upon its release late last year.Considering Gilroy's last film was the brilliant and dazzling Nightcrawler, it's a shame that his newest venture behind the camera isn't able to get to the same noteworthy level.Final Say -There's some fine moments in Roman J. Israel, Esq. and a typically solid (if not exactly awards worthy) turn from Washington but this crime drama with a unique premise never quite clicks the way in which we would've liked making it a watchable if hardly a must-watch event.3 U-Haul vans out of 5

Just rented this one from RedBox...The plus 4 is for Mr Washingtons performance...the minus 6 is for the movie it self.Washingtons performance is well... what you would expect from that man. Great ! He clearly has become the person that is needed to portray the charter Roman. There is no confusion in your mind about who this guy is.That being said...there is only the story...which in the sum of its parts - implodes on it self....starting at the very beginning when Roman types out that he is a hypocrite. And thats pretty much what happens.Roman is stuck in the sixties and stuck on ideals that no longer exists. He thinks he is so right and everybody else is wrong. He thinks his values are so just and everybody else is corrupt. And every chance he gets he goes off on some long tangent with lawyer mumbo jumbo or how he has a master plan to get society and the justice system back on track...but it never leaves his briefcase. And all the speeches turn into blah, blah, blah....blah, blah.He talks alot about doing something, but ultimately does nothing...much in the same way the movie goes. There are people in the movie who care about him...but he has isolated himself in spite of that. A guy who thinks he is such a great lawyer yet continually proves how in capable he is (Contempt of court, betrays clients confidentiality, he actually doesn't get anyone out of their situation, almost gets fired for trying to negotiate a plea with no authority, etc, etc..) And he just cant keep from pissing people off...either by his actions or his words.And those actions ultimately drives him to become the aforementioned hypocrite...to which after that makes the movie pointless and after that one finds themselves starting to glance at the clock wondering how much longer this is going to go on.The movie goes this way..and that way....righteous speeches that turn into blah, blah blah. Values that turn corrupt. A struggle of wanting to make a change and nothing happens. A plot that is trying to make you like and admire the character...who actually annoys you. And the ending that you saw coming much earlier....where everything comes crashing down.And even as the credits begin to roll and Collins character tries to take up the cause of this man, you are already aware there is nothing so great about Roman J Israel Esq....or the movie.