Copyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: The best defense money can buy is a cynical way to describe high-priced criminal defense lawyers, but it's not inaccurate. "Roman J. Israel, Esq." is a new movie that stars Denzel Washington and looks at what happens when a lawyer who's worked in the background of criminal defense for 30 years is suddenly thrust out front. Karen Grigsby Bates from NPR's Code Switch team has this. KAREN GRIGSBY BATES, BYLINE: Roman J. Israel has been a civil rights attorney for almost three decades. He's poured his life into a two-man firm that is famous for its civil rights litigation. But when a senior partner has a fatal heart attack early in the film, Roman discovers their firm is bankrupt - too much pro bono work. The partner's niece explains they'll close the firm and pay off its debts. Desperate to keep the place afloat, Roman has other ideas. (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ.") DENZEL WASHINGTON: (As Roman J. Israel) I'll
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