On the Basis of Sex (2018)

On the Basis of Sex is a historical, biographical and legal drama about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her husband Martin Ginsburg, which premiered in 2018. Here is some basic information about it:

** Director: Mimi Leder

** Writer: Daniel Stiepleman

** Run time: 120 minutes

The cast includes the following:

** Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg (“RBG”) (1933-2020) – a lawyer

** Armie Hammer as Martin Ginsburg (1932-2010) – a lawyer

** Cailee Spaeny as Jane Ginsburg (born 1955) – Ruth and Martin’s daughter – in the drama, she is a baby at first and later a teenager – today she is a lawyer like her parents

** Justin Theroux as Melvin “Mel” Wulf – a lawyer, who works for the ACLU

** Sam Waterston as Erwin Griswold (1904-1994) – Dean of Harvard Law School 1946-1967 – US Solicitor general 1967-1973

** Stephen Root as Professor Brown – School of Law, Harvard University

** Kathy Bates as Dorothy Kenyon (1888-1972) – a lawyer

** Sharon Washington as Anna Pauline “Pauli” Murray (1910-1985) – a civil rights activist and a lawyer

** Chris Mulkey as Charles Moritz – Ruth and Martin’s client in a case against the IRS

This movie is not based on a true story. It is inspired by real events, as an on-screen message explains, as the movie begins. This means the basic story is true, but the movie-makers have used the concept that is known as artistic licence: some details have been altered or invented for dramatic purposes.

Daniel Stiepleman – author of the screenplay - is RBG’s nephew. Martin Ginsburg was his uncle. RBG read and corrected the first three versions of his screenplay. After this, she handed over the task to her daughter Jane. When RBG watched the movie in December 2018, she said she was pleased with it; adding that some things in it are true, while others are not, but the two elements go well together.

The story begins in 1956 and ends in 1972. This is the time when Ruth and Martin are in law school and the beginning of their careers. When the story begins, they are already married and they have a daughter Jane, who was born in 1955.

What do reviewers say about this historical and biographical drama? Here are the results of three review aggregators:

** 60 per cent = Meta

** 64 per cent = IMDb

** 71 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes

As you can see, the reviews are not bad. On the other hand, they are not great. The ratings hover between three and four stars on Amazon. This is not much for this movie. I suspect the audience ratings will go up after a while. If you ask me, all these average ratings are too low. Why?

(1) The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well.

(2) The story is captivating, dramatic, and often quite emotional.

(3) It is inspired by real events.

Having said this, I have to mention that there are two flaws. First of all, the structure of the movie is a bit uneven. We start in 1956. From there we move step by step to 1960. But from this point in time we suddenly jump forward to 1970 where a new and important case begins. The major part of the movie is devoted to this case which plays out from 1970 to 1972.

Secondly, historical truth is violated on several occasions. Some details are missing, while some of the details that we see never happened or did not happen in the way they are presented here. I will not say too much about this issue, because I do not wish to spoil the viewing for anyone.

If you wish to know more about this issue, I think you should watch the movie first. Once you have done this, google the title of the movie and the words “historical accuracy.” When you do that, several items will pop up.

As stated, there are two flaws, but I have decided to regard them as minor. Why? Because this drama is great: it is not only entertaining, but also informative. It will capture your attention and give you something to think about.

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.

PS # 1. RBG - a documentary film which premiered in 2018 – covers Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life from the beginning in 1933 until the time when she is one of the nine Justices sitting on the US Supreme Court.

 

PS # 2. Ruth - Justice Ginsburg in her Own Words is a documentary film which premiered in 2019.

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