“Roman J. Israel, Esq.” takes a unique approach as a film about autism since its portrayal is made from the vantage point of an African-American lawyer with Asperger’s Syndrome,” Nils Skudra
By Nils Skudra
On a recent occasion I had the opportunity to watch the film “Roman J. Israel, Esq.,” starring Denzel Washington in the title role as a Los Angeles-based lawyer with Asperger’s Syndrome. As with many films dealing with autism, the protagonist is a savant who is superbly accomplished in a particular field (in this case, law) but struggles mightily with significant social challenges, such as the tendency to be awkward socially, miss social cues and to speak one’s mind directly, even at the cost of other people’s patience or respect. The film astutely portrays numerous signs of Roman’s Asperger’s diagnosis, including an early scene in which we see his kitchen shelf stacked with perfectly lined rows of peanut butter which he routinely eats for dinner. This moment is illustrative of a common tendency among many people with Asperger’s Syndrome since they follow their own particular routine in any range of activities, from always eating a very specific type of food, having it arranged in a certain way on one’s plate (often not touching other items) to keeping the water piping set according to their own distinctive (rather than a stereotypical) preference. This tendency is similarly illustrated in the acclaimed “Good Doctor” miniseries whose autistic surgeon protagonist, Shaun Murphy, always eats a stack of pancakes with chocolate syrup for lunch and complains when the water piping in his apartment is not fixed in the distinctive way that he is accustomed to.
Roman’s social challenges as a person with Asperger’s Syndrome are highlighted in a variety of ways, including the normally clinically described difficulty with making eye contact and the tendency to continually voice his opinions without regard for the perspective of those around him as well as to lack empathy for others. While speaking directly is sometimes praised as proof of autistic individuals’ propensity for scrupulous honesty, it can often get them into trouble since inattentiveness toward other people’s input may lead to censure and ridicule from those who do not understand the challenges associated with autism. This is sometimes referred to in the clinical literature as “mindblindness”, the inability to make inferences about what another individual is thinking. This is demonstrated early on during a courtroom scene in which Roman raises objections that are overruled by the presiding judge. In spite of these motions, he continues to voice the reasons for his objections rather than following instructions to stay on board with the case, prompting the irritated judge to hold Roman in contempt for his failure to comply. Roman’s behavior in this scene is significant as an indicator of the shortcomings of direct talk as a trait associated with autism, as well as the problems of following communication since it is critical for lawyers to follow proper courtroom procedure, and therefore reserving one’s opinions in the event of an objection’s overruling is essential for maintaining the judge’s good graces.
“Roman J. Israel, Esq.” takes a unique approach as a film about autism since its portrayal is made from the vantage point of an African-American lawyer with Asperger’s Syndrome. People of color on the spectrum seldom receive primary focus in movies that address the themes of autism and its associated challenges. Rather, the norm is to portray autistic protagonists who are white, and in other films I have seen which do portray characters of color with autism, such as “Mozart and the Whale,” they are typically presented as background characters rather than playing a significant role. In addition, autistic individuals of color not only encounter discrimination by the wider society as disabled members of racial minorities, but they also often suffer marginalization within their home communities on account of, more specifically, their diagnosis which some people regard as mental retardation. In light of this, the film’s portrayal of an African-American protagonist with Asperger’s Syndrome makes a significant leap in diversifying Hollywood’s portrayals of the autism community as well as indicating how autistic individuals of color tend to be viewed both by whites and by neuro-typical members of their home communities.
Despite its strengths in portraying the characteristics and social challenges associated with Asperger’s Syndrome, a substantial flaw of “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” is its failure to explicitly identify the protagonist’s diagnosis. Although he exhibits characterological signs of Asperger’s, Roman never discloses his neuro-divergent identity, nor is it specifically referenced by his colleagues. One scene which could have shown promise in this regard features a conversation between the protagonist and his employer, George Pierce (portrayed by Colin Ferrell), in which the latter voices his criticisms of Roman’s conduct and its ramifications for their law firm, expressing concern that Roman “may not be fully functional” for the demands of the job. This would have been an excellent point at which to explicitly identify Roman’s Asperger’s diagnosis as a reason for George’s doubts about his protégé’s abilities, as well as an opportunity for Roman to explain his neuro-divergent identity and the strengths and challenges that accompany it. The film’s failure to clarify this issue leaves room for ambiguity as to the reasons for Roman’s behavior, as neuro-typical viewers who are unfamiliar with autism may infer that he is merely eccentric, an assumption which would potentially reinforce accusations that the film makes an inadequate representation of autism.
In summation, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” is a well-crafted film in its portrayal of autistic behaviors and social challenges, which Denzel Washington astutely captures. The depiction of an African-American protagonist with Asperger’s further serves the goal of diversifying film portrayals of autism and thus carries the potential to inspire future films that revolve around autistic protagonists of color. However, the failure to explicitly reference Roman’s diagnosis as the basis for his social challenges and intellectual gifts makes for an incomplete portrayal that leaves open the potential for incorrect assumptions about autistic behaviors, with the effect that autistic viewers may feel unfairly represented in films that do not specifically identify their neuro-divergent identities. For those who are unfamiliar with autism, I would advise that they educate themselves about its associated challenges and benefits prior to seeing this movie so that they can make an informed identification of the protagonist’s neurological condition. And for those in the autistic community who have not yet seen the film, I would advise viewing it with caution in order that they may take its portrayal as a constructive lesson for educating others about the nature of autism and the appropriate ways of interrelating with people who are on the spectrum.
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Great review. I’ll have to see Roman J. Israel, Esq. Its on my movie list. Hope you are doing well.
I think peanut butter may taste even more delicious after Roman eats it.
I loved Denzel’s portrayal.
My late friend, diagnosed with autism was treated as mentally retarded. Her challenges in life were overwhelming.
The awareness as become more prevalent but too late for her. RIP dear Pamela Button.
I understand your position regarding what you refer to as a failure to explicitly identify the diagnosis. However, I feel to have done so would have rendered the dialogue in that scene as unrealistic.
When speaking with someone with that diagnosis, it is not repeated in subsequent conversations as it is inherently understood between the parties what is being referenced.
We wouldn’t on any given situation Express a concern and then follow it up with something like “you know, because of your autism.”
I think to have forced those references into the dialogue would have turned the movie into a giant PSA and it would have disassociated the character in some way.
Anyway, just my two cents.
I couldn’t agree more. I also think that by not mentioning a specific diagnosis, the movie shows how, as an 60 something African American male, Roman may have never been officially diagnosed. The story line tells how Roman had been sheltered for many years by his friend and colleague, William. They had went to college together.
I watched the film and had no idea that the character Roman had Aspergers. I did wonder why he showed no empathy for his partners ill health and subsequent death. If I had realised before hand the movie would have made much more sense.
A very close friend of mine was a lawyer who undoubtedly had Asperger’s Syndrome. Nobody who writes anything about Asperger’s challenges addresses the fact that people with this affliction have enormous difficulty dealing with people as clients, as well as co-workers. It is almost impossible for them to attract good-quality clients and move the case forward reasonably well. My friend was brilliant, and could totally handle any and all academic challenges in becoming a member of the bar, but he was completely inept in dealing with clients. My friend ended up dealing with the lowest realm of society as clients, and he did not get paid hardly at all as a result. Knowing him was a very sad experience by me of a brilliant man. He was 7 years younger than me, and eventually committed suicide a year ago. I grieve him still.
I somehow ended up watching this movie which made me feel like i’m not the only one like that and then I searched for the diagnosis of Roman J Israel which is how I ended up on this blog page.
So for me it was great that the Aspbergers was not mentioned, only portrayed.
I often get people that do not want to acknowledge my diagnosis for whatever reason, despite the fact that it is so blatantly obvious when you have an understanding of the condition, along with a willingness to properly identify it in an accepting way.
Non neuro-typical can often be classified using less positive terminologies, which I will not repeat, apart from “retard” which I actually do not mind, since sometimes it can be a good thing to be slightly out of step or slow.
Everything matches in my diagnosis and of course it is intensely confirmed by my own experience of trying to exist in society with my high functioning mental aspect always at play, along with the notably unusual course my life has taken.
I stick out wherever I go and its not just the never ending experiences that I can refer back to as evidence, but it is also the relentless feedback and judgements of others, good and bad, that confirm the eventual diagnosis beyond doubt.
In short, my official files are inordinately thick and juicy.
Sorry to say too much but I had to, somewhere, sometime, regardless of the chance that people might not even read it. These days I don’t get out much.
The movie really struck a deep chord for me.
Reassuring, enlightening, and sad.
Thank you Nils for the enlightening blog and sharing your perspective relating to the film addressing Roman’s Asperger’s Syndrome. It gives one a sign to take pause and think a little deeper during the story. The film is staged on Netflix at this moment at our home to view.
Likewise, the replies to the blog are also though-provoking. I thank you all for sharing.
As with many health conditions, there are so many perspectives and so many misunderstandings. Personally, though it may strike others as an odd perspective, the uniqueness of every individual brings light into my thoughts.
People with Asperger’s and Autism have amazed me with the visible sense of purpose they display. I do not judge what is right or wrong by portrayed behavior because every person on Earth can be judged for their behavior. As a result, I would probably be classified as a fence sitter on the topic of discussion as I actually see it both ways and do not believe there to be a right or wrong way to portray. For me, the only viable person to provide a truly interesting perspective would be the real Roman J. Isreal, Esq. and how he experiences the portrayal of himself by the movie.
To conclude, I wish you Nils further success in bringing the Asperger’s and Autism to light and discussion and to help the integration into the society. Your candidness is appreciated from my side.