6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An attorney for a big L.A. law firm discovers some unfavorable things about his late partner and decides to right his wrongs.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell, Shelley Hennig, Carmen Ejogo, Amanda WarrenDrama | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French (Canada): DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Thai
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It wouldn’t be entirely unfair to the rest of Roman J. Israel, Esq. to rename the movie Denzel Washington. Here’s a fairly good movie elevated considerably by its star, a star delivering a performance typical of his body of work, a transformative bit of acting that absolutely dominates the film’s otherwise noble yet nevertheless somewhat dry story. Writer/Director Dan Gilroy, whose dual credits also include the well-received Nightcrawler, builds a solid character study within Roman but the film’s unquestionably dominant lead role devours most of the peripherals, overshadowing the film’s narrative flow and purpose to the point that titling the movie by a single name seems spot-on, named for the towering character but that could just as easily be renamed for the towering performance that makes it.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.'s 1080p transfer is as screen-commanding as Denzel Washington's performance. This is Blu-ray at its peak, presenting a gorgeously textured, perfectly filmic, and organically colored presentation that's the next-best-thing to UHD (and it's a shame Sony didn't see the feasibility in putting this one out on UHD...it most assuredly would have been a looker). Textural qualities are superb. Complex facial definition presents with ease. Pinpoint suit and necktie fabric details present with tangible intimacy and tactile surface definition. Environments are crisp, whether high-dollar law offices, a murky alleyway, a top-end restaurant, or a prison. Every detail is rendered to exacting specifications that push the format to its limits. Colors are well defined, appropriately vibrant and natural without any significant filtering, boost in contrast, or desaturation evident. Neckties and other bits of clothing are the standouts, but complex urban colors are also well defined. Skin tones appear accurate and black levels are richly deep with excellent shadow detail on display. No source of encode flaws are readily apparent. This is another jewel in Sony's ever-increasing catalogue of high definition excellence.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It's a large, intensive track. During the first outdoor scene, listeners are greeted with spacious, deep music; plenty of agreeably detailed and vibrant street level din; and a helicopter buzzing overhead with commanding stage presence. Moments later, chatter, footfalls, and dinging elevator signals give sonic shape to a bustling hallway into which the listener is seamlessly transplanted. The track is filled with lively location details such as these, each one breathing added life into the accompanying scene but always, here, balanced and prioritized, allowing dialogue to dominate as necessary. Everything is well pronounced and effectively positioned; for a movie of this nature, the track's authenticity, large spacing, and seamless presentation do wonders for the movie watching experience that more dramatically oriented movie soundtracks could stand to duplicate. Even with the now somewhat antiquated 5.1 configuration, the track leaves nothing behind, no stage space left uncovered. Dialogue is clear and consistently positioned in its natural front-center home, while music delivery is wide and well defined.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. contains a few extras. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase.
Though it sometimes struggles with structural cohesion and purpose identification, Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a treat to watch as Washington inhabits the character with grandiose movements, a unique cadence, and lyrical eloquence even in some of the more confused exchanges he has with others. It's a fascinating character study of a man head-and-shoulders above everyone else, at least in terms of sheer brain power, but unable to really fit in due to his personality and his personal code, both of which come under challenge as the film develops. It could be a bit narratively tighter in the first half, and everything is swallowed up whole by Washington's award-worthy performance, but the film is, overall, well worth watching primarily for the acting and secondarily for the meaty story that works better on reflection than it does in the Denzel-dominant moment. Sony's Blu-ray is fantastic, delivering exceptional, reference-quality video and audio. Supplements are not comprehensive but support the movie well enough. Highly recommended.
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