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A Masterpiece!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I was very disappointed by this movie which, despite having a good cast (with perhaps the exception of Colin Farrell, who was not a great fit for the role), has a completely abysmal story. It starts off fine, with a maladjusted paralegal forced to take on the role of full court lawyer and being incapable of stomaching the injustice that is inherent in the system, to the point where he even gets a fine of almost one year's wages (which, as far as we know, he doesn't even challenge, he's just blase about it, making it more than weird). But then, without spoiling anything, the movie goes off on a tangent, trying to be all Walter Mitty on us, and it really makes no sense. The characters start behaving out of character, the story devolves into a barely believable tale of hubris and punishment, and perhaps its greatest mistake is that it takes itself far too seriously. The ending is extremely predictable and sappy, and completely pointless. Perhaps the problem is pacing, and the fact that the movie is trying to do so much in such little time, with basically three full subplots which simply don't need to exist. And it's all so cliche, the girl who is incredibly hot but is attracted to him, the younger man who respects him all of a sudden for no real reason, and the crime story where we see how absolutely unintelligent the main character is. It's all too much. This is a movie about a lawyer who has spent his past 30 years fighting the system, fighting for the little guy, and a guy who is almost a genius at it, but we see none of that beyond what's already in the trailer, the story we're presented with is simply something else. Shame, Denzel's acting is pretty much on point.If you value your time, read the plot synopsis first, at the risk of being spoiled and decide afterwards if you still want to watch it. Just know that by the end you'll be tempted to switch it off out of boredom.

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.

This is one of those films that draws you in at the start. Intriguing story and good acting. Then half way through, it's like a different writer/director takes over and when it's over, your left thinking did I just waste two hours of my life on this?

My only reservation was it was longer than necessary but Denzel Washington never disappoints and provided a storyline with just the right climax (no spoilers here). Having worked with Asperger's individuals, his acting was on point with what I have seen, as well as bringing light to the dirtiest of "secrets" in our judicial system: Not everyone gets their day in court (guilty or otherwise). Hate I waited so long to see this film and still worth investing the 2 hours