On the Basis of Sex
Studio: Focus Features
Directed by Mimi Leder
Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Felicity Jones) is already married and with a child when she enters the old boys club known as Harvard Law School. Despite the palpable disdain accompanying her presence, she quickly proves more than formidable opposite her male classmates, obliterating them in debates and ascending past them in the class rankings. When her husband Martin (Armie Hammer), who is also a Harvard law student, is diagnosed with testicular cancer, instead of taking time off, she doubles her coursework by attending his classes. Her academic achievements, however, cannot secure post-grad work at top law firms, forcing her into a modest beginning as a professor at Rutgers Law School. This, however, proves short-lived as she learns of a case where a caretaker is denied funds because he is male. A case with such blatant gender discrimination (assuming a caretaker must be a woman) becomes the basis for Bader-Ginsberg’s strategy of dismantling sexism in the law, one case at a time.
On the Basis of Sex tries to be two things: an overview of the life of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and an examination of a case that was formative in her career, impacting both ideology and strategy. These don’t run concurrent and feel divided into two parts, with the former, “biopic-ey” elements feeling generic and unnecessary. At least, unnecessary for the plot. You can’t fault screenwriter Daniel Stiepleman or director Mimi Leder for spending time on her early struggles and the way she overcame them—indeed, her backstory provides a refreshing contrast to a recent Supreme Court confirmation, reminding us that the formative experiences behind one of the most exclusive jobs in the country should be embraced, not excused away. But if the narrative is to show the scope of Bader-Ginsberg’s formation, certain choices feel arbitrary—why not start before law school, showing why she chose the field of law to be her battleground?
This aside, the narrative is clever in its approach to the relationship between Ruth and Martin. Though the Ginsbergs team up on the case, it’s ultimately Ruth who leads the fight with her handsome husband in the background, wearing the apron. Perhaps this wasn’t quite the dynamic in real life. Perhaps the part where Bader-Ginsberg’s sparring foes from Harvard end up opposing her on the case is more a case of dramatic symmetry than historical accuracy. On the Basis of Sex is not an historical document, but a dramatic film and one with shortcomings at that. But if you know little about Bader-Ginsberg, the film succeeds as a starting point in the history of an important Supreme Court Justice and a case that defined her.
Author rating: 6.5/10
Average reader rating: 9/10
Most Recent
- WFR Central, Derby, UK, March 23, 2024 (Review) — Altern 8, Maria Uzor, Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, Cholly
- Premiere: Sofia Bolt Shares New Single “Bus Song” Featuring Stella Donnelly (News) — Sofia Bolt
- St. Vincent Shares New Song “Flea” (Feat. Dave Grohl) and Announces New Tour Dates (News) — St. Vincent, Dave Grohl
- Elbow – Guy Garvey on Their 10th Album “AUDIO VERTIGO” (Interview) — Elbow, Guy Garvey
- Vampire Weekend Share New Song “Mary Boone” (News) — Vampire Weekend
Comments
Submit your comment
December 31st 2018
11:59pm
This is the best trailer I have seen, Kindly make more movies like this because it is the need of our society.
January 4th 2019
1:13am
why not start before law school, showing why she chose the field of law to be her battleground?
July 8th 2019
4:11pm
Ukrainian relationships tricks
virtual ambianceWhat is perfectly for?prestigious doubt, reality type types of relation provides extensive of advantages. Youknowthe girlnot much like the wife would seem, furthermore this person clothes, web site can look a greater depth entering her intellect, Insideher person, concerns this person <a >russian women</a> proclaim, Herhabitsevenbeforeyou catch up with. it’s infrequently substantial.so what on earth screwy withvirtual make an impression on?like for example all things these days, earth wide web dating has got two corners. as opposed to good one is that after you meetin certainty,an interlocuforrmay far from being betypically is onewhom youused she can thinkshe to work with be 10 yearsover, Notso ravishing, or perhaps ifnota young girl much less than. good think, There vary online dating site, an are authentic, a lot of are not. at the beginning, it’s possible you’ll time frame a sufficient quantity of the internet, and when likely absolutely optimum have any idea some other, may well contend to in solid, which will be progressive period of <a >russian mail order</a> your special connection. imagine, It’s fantastic. and as well, the issue the issue as to shyness disappears actually.
October 22nd 2019
5:00am
I think it’s a lie that you still have to talk about this issue when you should be overcome