On the Basis of Sex (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Just 8 months ago, audiences watched 'RBG', a great documentary about the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Now we have Mimi Leder's 'On the Basis of Sex', a new movie about Ruth's early life as a Harvard/Columbia law student/attorney and ... it's pretty darn great, too. This film begins in 1956 with Ruth (Felicity Jones), already married to Martin Ginsburg (Armie Hammer), beginning her 1st year of Harvard Law School. She is one of only 9(!) women admitted to the class of 500, much to the stern consternation of Harvard Law School Dean, Erwin Griswold (Sam Waterston). When Martin, a 2nd yr. student falls ill with testicular cancer, Ruth attends her classes AND his, along with caring for Martin & their baby, Jane.
Martin goes into remission, graduates & is offered a prestigious job in NYC. Instead of permitting Ruth to take classes at Columbia to complete her Harvard law degree, Griswold denies her request {because she's a woman}. She subsequently transfers to Columbia instead & graduates at the top of her class. Unable to find a job with a law firm despite a glowing resume at both law schools {more institutional sexism}, Ruth settles for teaching law at Rutgers, where she specializes in 'The Law and Sex Discrimination'. This film focuses mostly on her 1st big break to pursue her life's work: a tantalizing 1971 tax law/sex discrimination case.
Colorado caregiver Charles Moritz (Chris Mulkey), is denied a tax deduction because he is an unmarried man ... and not a female. Discrimination against men!? Ruth sees this as THE perfect chance to gain the sympathy of the male-dominated judges in an effort to address discrimination "based on sex", period. As Ruth & Martin prepare their case with the reluctant aid of Mel Wulf (Justin Theroux) of the ACLU & lovingly cantankerous civil rights attorney, Dorothy Kenyon (Kathy Bates), it's awesome to watch the genius of their work unfold. And though Ruth could have easily faltered under the scrutiny of the male judges, the importance of her arguments {especially in 'Closing'} is monumental. She's a pioneer in the truest sense of the word.
This sincere biopic benefits from Jones' brilliant portrayal & Armie Hammer's amiable support. It may not be as informative or substantive as the RBG doc, but screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman {Ruth's nephew} was mostly interested in providing us the genesis of her amazing life, not a greatest hits compilation that tends to blunt a biopic's effect -- smart decision. The 1st half of the film provides insight into the institutional sexism Ruth faced & also highlights her domestic life; the Ginsburg's marriage is pretty remarkable. And the film crackles with energy in the 2nd half once Ruth et al work on the Moritz vs. the IRS case which puts her on the map as pioneering activist attorney. The scenes related to the Moritz case are spellbinding, from Ruth's wrangling with Wulf to obtain ACLU involvement to a mock trial in which she loses her cool to the final actions that lead to hearing, itself.
British actress Felicity Jones employs a Brooklyn accent & riveted me as the dignified, yet fiery {when called-for} Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Jones is one of those actresses who you know from this movie or that movie and know she's good, but when you actually hone in on her performances, you realize how much there is going on behind her eyes & in her voice. And when she converts the cynical magistrates into believers in the film's final moments, tears came to my eyes. Armie Hammer is solid as near-saintly Martin. Sam Waterston ably plays 'villain' - the man defending the status quo for fear of yielding 'white male privilege'. I enjoyed Cailee Spaeny as the Ginsburg's feminist teen daughter who teaches mom a thing or two along the way. And there's a cameo late in the proceedings which - combined with the music - is bound to inspire, no matter what your political leanings may be.
Mimi Leder's 'On the Basis of Sex' is a stellar film all-around. I mentioned the acting above. Daniel Stiepleman's script is cerebral, yet accessible - containing both drama & some needed low-key humor. The production values {camerawork, period sets & costumes} are very smart. 85 yr. old Ruth Bader Ginsburg was impressed with the film & Jones' portrayal of herself, as well. And like the very best movies can do ... this one ends strong with a soaring, inspiring lilt. It's important to never forget the impact Ginsburg has had in uprooting the deluge of sexist laws that were put in place hundreds of yrs. ago. I just really enjoyed this glimpse of Ruth's early life and her transition into tireless advocate for the civil rights for all.
Martin goes into remission, graduates & is offered a prestigious job in NYC. Instead of permitting Ruth to take classes at Columbia to complete her Harvard law degree, Griswold denies her request {because she's a woman}. She subsequently transfers to Columbia instead & graduates at the top of her class. Unable to find a job with a law firm despite a glowing resume at both law schools {more institutional sexism}, Ruth settles for teaching law at Rutgers, where she specializes in 'The Law and Sex Discrimination'. This film focuses mostly on her 1st big break to pursue her life's work: a tantalizing 1971 tax law/sex discrimination case.
Colorado caregiver Charles Moritz (Chris Mulkey), is denied a tax deduction because he is an unmarried man ... and not a female. Discrimination against men!? Ruth sees this as THE perfect chance to gain the sympathy of the male-dominated judges in an effort to address discrimination "based on sex", period. As Ruth & Martin prepare their case with the reluctant aid of Mel Wulf (Justin Theroux) of the ACLU & lovingly cantankerous civil rights attorney, Dorothy Kenyon (Kathy Bates), it's awesome to watch the genius of their work unfold. And though Ruth could have easily faltered under the scrutiny of the male judges, the importance of her arguments {especially in 'Closing'} is monumental. She's a pioneer in the truest sense of the word.
This sincere biopic benefits from Jones' brilliant portrayal & Armie Hammer's amiable support. It may not be as informative or substantive as the RBG doc, but screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman {Ruth's nephew} was mostly interested in providing us the genesis of her amazing life, not a greatest hits compilation that tends to blunt a biopic's effect -- smart decision. The 1st half of the film provides insight into the institutional sexism Ruth faced & also highlights her domestic life; the Ginsburg's marriage is pretty remarkable. And the film crackles with energy in the 2nd half once Ruth et al work on the Moritz vs. the IRS case which puts her on the map as pioneering activist attorney. The scenes related to the Moritz case are spellbinding, from Ruth's wrangling with Wulf to obtain ACLU involvement to a mock trial in which she loses her cool to the final actions that lead to hearing, itself.
British actress Felicity Jones employs a Brooklyn accent & riveted me as the dignified, yet fiery {when called-for} Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Jones is one of those actresses who you know from this movie or that movie and know she's good, but when you actually hone in on her performances, you realize how much there is going on behind her eyes & in her voice. And when she converts the cynical magistrates into believers in the film's final moments, tears came to my eyes. Armie Hammer is solid as near-saintly Martin. Sam Waterston ably plays 'villain' - the man defending the status quo for fear of yielding 'white male privilege'. I enjoyed Cailee Spaeny as the Ginsburg's feminist teen daughter who teaches mom a thing or two along the way. And there's a cameo late in the proceedings which - combined with the music - is bound to inspire, no matter what your political leanings may be.
Mimi Leder's 'On the Basis of Sex' is a stellar film all-around. I mentioned the acting above. Daniel Stiepleman's script is cerebral, yet accessible - containing both drama & some needed low-key humor. The production values {camerawork, period sets & costumes} are very smart. 85 yr. old Ruth Bader Ginsburg was impressed with the film & Jones' portrayal of herself, as well. And like the very best movies can do ... this one ends strong with a soaring, inspiring lilt. It's important to never forget the impact Ginsburg has had in uprooting the deluge of sexist laws that were put in place hundreds of yrs. ago. I just really enjoyed this glimpse of Ruth's early life and her transition into tireless advocate for the civil rights for all.