On the Basis of Sex (2018)

Ruth Bader Ginsberg is a superhero. And this movie about her is a superhero movie. It is set up as an origin story, like all the superhero movies. Her intelligence and perseverance are her superpowers to defeat the evil villains of the patriarchy. There isn't a lot more to On the Basis of Sex. It is interesting in terms of building up the legend of the Judge. It certainly gets one riled up about sex based discrimination. But I'm not sure it does much to paint a picture of the real person.

Following the model of last year's Marshall, On the Basis of Sex tells the story of a legendary juror by focusing on one case, the one that defined their careers and their perspectives. It breaks that case down to its basics, throws all the barriers we are used to seeing in these sorts of movies, and shows her triumphant in the end. Sure we all know that she's going to be triumphant (if you know anything about American jurisprudence) and the legal issues at question are safely enough in the past that we don't have to wrestle with them ourselves, at least not the audience that will see this movie. So On the Basis of Sex is safe and a bit of a rallying cry.

That's all good. Everyone is good in the movie despite no one truly standing out with a knock em down performance. The story is plotted well and it all is easily digestible. But unlike the real RBG it doesn't push our boundaries and move us forward. It's about the past. Sure there is a lot that still needs to be done and much of the hard won rights are under threat of being taken away, but this film doesn't focus on that either. It is comfortable and reinforcing.

It's still good as Coles Notes history and as a tribute to one of the most important jurists alive. I think I might have wanted to see more nuance, more discomfort, more of what makes so much of the journey she's had and still has so remarkable. The documentary RBG captured this far more than this film does. Despite it not living up to all I wanted it to be I'd still recomend it.

On the Basis of Sex
Starring: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Cailee Spaeny, Sam Waterson, Kathy Bates
Director: Mimi Leder
Writer: Daniel Stiepleman