Despite a fantastic turn from Gyllenhaal, the film is an unfunny, unsuccessful, elitist spoof about what happens when art and commerce collide, and it’s one that will be lost on most.

Despite a fantastic turn from Gyllenhaal, the film is an unfunny, unsuccessful, elitist spoof about what happens when art and commerce collide, and it’s one that will be lost on most.
“Roman J. Israel Esq.” certainly is an ambitious mess.