On the Basis of Sex (2018)

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Trailer:

 

International trailer:

World premiere at the AFI Fest on 11/8/18

Wide release scheduled for 12/25/18

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Reviews:

Variety

Guardian

Collider

[Scarlett45]

I’m so excited for this one!

[ElectricBoogaloo]

executives didn’t want to finance On the Basis of Sex because husband character was too supportive

RBG's involvement with On the Basis of Sex

on Christmas Day, On the Basis of Sex posted the top location average of the day

Seven designers have teamed up with the ACLU Women's Rights Project in honor of On the Basis of Sex (FYI - the amount donated varies by the designer - both Catbird and Clé de Peau are donating 100% of the purchase price, Lingua Franca is donating $100 per sweater, Clare V is donating 10% of the purchase price, and Dissent Pins is donating $5 from each pin)

RBG was released from the hospital on Christmas Day, just four days after surgeons removed two cancerous nodules from her left lung

[GaT]

10 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

RBG's involvement with On the Basis of Sex

It's astounding to think that women couldn't even open a bank account, how did single women with no fathers live back then?

Quote

It was a revelation to Hammer what women couldn’t do back in the ’50s: “The fact referenced in the film is women couldn’t open a bank account, rent a car unless their husband was present. Women were not allowed to represent people in court unless they have a husband there. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the point on the graph where you see the line where she started, to the point where we are, and the trajectory where we need to go.”

[Scarlett45]

9 hours ago, GaT said:

It's astounding to think that women couldn't even open a bank account, how did single women with no fathers live back then?

Generally unmarried women had more freedom than their married counterparts. If you were unmarried and employed most of the time you could do things like open a bank account (at least in major cities).

 

For women of a certain social class were always expected to have a male representative. If you were unmarried you had a father or a brother, or a nephew to step into those roles. If you were a woman with no adult male relatives you “made do”. 

 

I saw the movie at an early screening in the beginning of the month (a friend of mine just made partner and her law firm invited us!). Of course I studied these cases in law school and knew quite a bit about Ruth’s life. I really enjoyed the film a lot. As a black woman and an attorney I’m just in awe of her. 

[Constant Viewer]

19 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

For women of a certain social class were always expected to have a male representative. If you were unmarried you had a father or a brother, or a nephew to step into those roles. If you were a woman with no adult male relatives you “made do”. 

One of my professors mentioned stepping in to help single female colleagues by co-signing on loans, etc.

[Sharpie66]

I once took a phone message from Marty Ginsburg (he was writing a tax book for my company). It’s sort of weird, thinking that I actually spoke with someone I will be seeing as a character on screen. 

[Notwisconsin]

They portray Marty Ginsburg as a genuine saint....as to seeing real people portrayed in movies, my brother knew the protagonist in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"
He went on for half an hour on how horrible a person Lee Israel was.

[annzeepark914]

I'm going to see this next week (with some women friends--should be interesting discussion afterward!!).  But I know the treatment of females is going to P*ss me off royally.  I remember want ads in the newspapers with separate Men/Women columns (and of course, the good jobs were in the Men's columns). 

[AimingforYoko]

As a man, this movie was incredibly hard to watch for one major reason: Feeling incredibly inadequate next to Marty Ginsburg. He was a great attorney, nurturing and supportive husband and father, a great cook and looked like Armie Hammer. Not to mention stoically facing down testicular cancer. How can I possibly measure up to that?

[choclatechip45]

I thought it was really good. As a female in my 20s it is crazy all the things women couldn't do. It was great that Marty was that supportive in real life as well. I need to watch the documentary!

[Bastet]

I'm hoping to make time to see this in the next couple of weeks; as I mentioned in another thread, I recently finally got around to reading Linda Hirshman's Sisters In Law ("How Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World").  (As a civil rights lawyer, focused on women's rights, I'll give you three guesses - and the first two don't count - as to whose career trajectory I'm most interested in.)  Also as a civil rights lawyer focused on women's rights, I'm quite familiar with many of their rulings, and one of my law school professors was friends with both women, so I knew a bit about them beyond those rulings.  But the book gave me a lot of new information, and I look forward to seeing how the film portrays RBG's early work.  Because, my goodness, her case-by-case strategy and big picture analysis were both staggeringly astute.  I'm a good women's rights lawyer, but she's out of this world by comparison; I'm truly in awe of her.  It makes me happy that a film about her exists, and I hope it does right by her.

[Scarlett45]

On 1/12/2019 at 8:52 AM, AimingforYoko said:

As a man, this movie was incredibly hard to watch for one major reason: Feeling incredibly inadequate next to Marty Ginsburg. He was a great attorney, nurturing and supportive husband and father, a great cook and looked like Armie Hammer. Not to mention stoically facing down testicular cancer. How can I possibly measure up to that?

You cannot- you just have to accept your fate as a mere mortal. 😁

[phalange]

I didn't know RBG was going to show up for real, so when she walked up the steps at the end, I teared up. It was so inspiring to see all the obstacles she overcame, but so infuriating to see the barriers she faced. When they were doing the mock trial and it was suggested that she smile more at the judges, I could feel my blood boiling. Plus going to a dozen different interviews after having graduated at the top of her class and being turned down because she's a woman. The raaaage. 

[ElectricBoogaloo]

2 hours ago, phalange said:

I didn't know RBG was going to show up for real, so when she walked up the steps at the end, I teared up. It was so inspiring to see all the obstacles she overcame, but so infuriating to see the barriers she faced. When they were doing the mock trial and it was suggested that she smile more at the judges, I could feel my blood boiling. Plus going to a dozen different interviews after having graduated at the top of her class and being turned down because she's a woman. The raaaage. 

I had the same reactions. Hearing the condescending way that her childhood friend said during the mock trial session (from telling her to smile to saying that Marty should give the opening remarks because the judges needed to see someone authoritative who they would respect), I could feel my heart starting to pound with rage.

As much as I hated seeing the rampant sexism throughout the movie (all the female students being asked why to explain why they were at Harvard Law taking the places of male students, being turned down for 13 jobs despite being first in her class, listening to the dean "explain" why it was okay for the male students to transfer or finish their third year somewhere else but he couldn't possibly let her do the same), somehow it rankled even more coming from someone who knew her personally and still treated her as an inferior.

But I love seeing the real RBG walk up the steps at the end - it definitely made me tear up a little!

[angora]

I really enjoyed this movie.  I appreciated that, while they of course showed how awesome RBG is, they also didn't portray her as Mythic Hero RBG - she was a person who played charades with her friends, angrily kicked off her shoes after an aggravating party, felt hopeless sometimes, and didn't come up with every solution instantly.  All the while, yes, being totally amazing.  Thinking about all she did while Marty was fighting cancer is just staggering.

All the sexism was rage-inducing, of course.  For me, I think the one that hurt the most was her interview with Tom Irwin's character.  He recognized the sexism she was facing in getting hired, they discussed it, he seemed impressed by her and they were getting along well, and right when she gaves him the hard sell... "See, the thing is, our wives might get jealous."  That one was a gut punch right there.

I really loved Marty and seeing their relationship together.  What a lovely portrayal of non-toxic masculinity and an equal partnership.  I loved that he fully supported her while BACKING HER UP rather than stepping in front of her to be the Understanding Male Hero to defeat sexism on her behalf.  I bet I could count the number of male characters I've seen like him on one hand.

[Browncoat]

If you liked this movie, and respect RBG and like the changes she fought for, you might be a feminist.

I did, I do, and I am!

[Hanahope]

Saw thi via Netflix last night.  Wow, We women owe so much to RBG and those that came before her and worked with her.  We need to be reminded of what life was really like for women in the 50s and 60s and not let what they fought for be forgotten.  And its not over, women are still fighting for true equality.  I'm so glad we have RBG to help us.

It was also a great reminder that there are truely decent men in this world as well.  Martin Ginsberg was a real treasure.

Radical social change indeed! 

[BetterButter]

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Champion Of Gender Equality, Dies At 87

[Spartan Girl]

We loved this movie. And I'm gutted about RBG.

[Wiendish Fitch]

Posting here at last, because of the tragic passing of RBG.

I really, really like this movie. While it sometimes has the feel of a conventional Hollywood biopic, it rises above it by never falling

 into the usual traps. In other words, the following does not happen:

1. Marty turns into a Lifetime Original Movie husband who gets all hostile and pissy because Ruth isn't performing her wifely duties and has the temerity to want to do more in her career.

2. Jane does the typical Movie Kid thing of whining that Ruth isn't home often enough, and that she acts out because "it's the only way I can get your attention!" (tell me I'm not the only one who hates this trope).

Instead, Marty is supportive from beginning to end, and Jane acknowledges the importance of her mother's work, and when Ruth says that the case has disrupted their lives, Jane shows remarkable maturity by responding, "Who's it for, if not for me?"

Wonderful. And, yes, I also cried at the final shot.

 

On 2/10/2019 at 1:09 AM, angora said:

I really enjoyed this movie.  I appreciated that, while they of course showed how awesome RBG is, they also didn't portray her as Mythic Hero RBG - she was a person who played charades with her friends, angrily kicked off her shoes after an aggravating party, felt hopeless sometimes, and didn't come up with every solution instantly.  All the while, yes, being totally amazing.  Thinking about all she did while Marty was fighting cancer is just staggering.

An excellent summation. The most amazing person you know is still just that: a person. 

[Spartan Girl]

3 hours ago, Wiendish Fitch said:

Posting here at last, because of the tragic passing of RBG.

I really, really like this movie. While it sometimes has the feel of a conventional Hollywood biopic, it rises above it by never falling

 into the usual traps. In other words, the following does not happen:

1. Marty turns into a Lifetime Original Movie husband who gets all hostile and pissy because Ruth isn't performing her wifely duties and has the temerity to want to do more in her career.

2. Jane does the typical Movie Kid thing of whining that Ruth isn't home often enough, and that she acts out because "it's the only way I can get your attention!" (tell me I'm not the only one who hates this trope).

Instead, Marty is supportive from beginning to end, and Jane acknowledges the importance of her mother's work, and when Ruth says that the case has disrupted their lives, Jane shows remarkable maturity by responding, "Who's it for, if not for me?"

Wonderful. And, yes, I also cried at the final shot.

 

An excellent summation. The most amazing person you know is still just that: a person. 

All this. I'm so glad the movie didn't fall back on those tiresome tropes and Marty and Jane were wonderfully supportive from beginning to end. Marty in particular was a keeper.

[txhorns79]

4 hours ago, Wiendish Fitch said:

I really, really like this movie. While it sometimes has the feel of a conventional Hollywood biopic, it rises above it by never falling

 into the usual traps. In other words, the following does not happen:

1. Marty turns into a Lifetime Original Movie husband who gets all hostile and pissy because Ruth isn't performing her wifely duties and has the temerity to want to do more in her career.

2. Jane does the typical Movie Kid thing of whining that Ruth isn't home often enough, and that she acts out because "it's the only way I can get your attention!" (tell me I'm not the only one who hates this trope).

Instead, Marty is supportive from beginning to end, and Jane acknowledges the importance of her mother's work, and when Ruth says that the case has disrupted their lives, Jane shows remarkable maturity by responding, "Who's it for, if not for me?"

Wonderful. And, yes, I also cried at the final shot.

The script for the movie was written by Ginsburg's nephew, so I'm sure he had an interest in getting it right.  I also doubt RGB would have participated if they presented an inaccurate depiction of her late husband or children for the sake of creating drama.  

[toodywoody]

I caught this and taped it this weekend. What a great movie. I had no idea about any of it. 

It pissed me off to no end about the comment that she should smile more. I get this all the time and it pisses me off. NO ONE walks around smiling all the time. NO ONE!!!! And why should she be smiling while trying to present her case? And it shouldn't matter that someone is smiling or not. Number one do not judge a book or face by it's cover. Number two if she would have been smiling do you think anyone would have been listening or taking her seriously. I didn't see the men or the three judges smiling. But they are men, so when they don't smile, it's perfectly fine. Women have to be cheery, perky, skinny, and everything else that certain people think women should be to be taken seriously or even acknowledged.

 

[Wiendish Fitch]

4 minutes ago, toodywoody said:

It pissed me off to no end about the comment that she should smile more. I get this all the time and it pisses me off. NO ONE walks around smiling all the time. NO ONE!!!! And why should she be smiling while trying to present her case? And it shouldn't matter that someone is smiling or not. Number one do not judge a book or face by it's cover. Number two if she would have been smiling do you think anyone would have been listening or taking her seriously. I didn't see the men or the three judges smiling. But they are men, so when they don't smile, it's perfectly fine. Women have to be cheery, perky, skinny, and everything else that certain people think women should be to be taken seriously or even acknowledged.

 

 

[ElectricBoogaloo]

7 hours ago, toodywoody said:

What a great movie. I had no idea about any of it. 

I would definitely recommend watching the documentary RBG too!

[Bastet]

Nearly a year ago, I wrote:

Quote

I look forward to seeing how the film portrays RBG's early work.  Because, my goodness, her case-by-case strategy and big picture analysis were both staggeringly astute.  I'm a good women's rights lawyer, but she's out of this world by comparison; I'm truly in awe of her.  It makes me happy that a film about her exists, and I hope it does right by her.

And last night I finally watched this.  And, yeah, did it ever do right by her.  I like setting it in that period of her life.  Had RBG never been appointed to the Supreme Court (and she was not who Clinton intended to nominate, but the stars aligned - the highly-social Marty marshaled his varied contacts to lobby for her consideration, and then she nailed the interview and completely changed Clinton's course - and the course of history - within fifteen minutes), hardly anyone would know she was the architect of women's rights law.  Until her particular twist on the legal argument, this country officially stated that discrimination on the basis of sex was constitutional (never you mind what that pesky 14th Amendment says).

And even with the attention her confirmation hearing and subsequent rulings and, more famously, dissents from the bench brought her, a lot of people didn't still know how pioneering she'd been as a lawyer before she became a judge.  So the more attention brought to her, the better.  She was a true hero.

And it's nice to see her kind of hero be the subject of a film; we need to celebrate those who are loud and proud on the streets and in front of the cameras, and we also need to celebrate the quiet, serious ones who put their head down and do a different kind of work for the cause (I appreciate that the film explicitly stated both are necessary components to any movement).

I love the scene where she's practicing her oral argument in front of the mirror and trying to incorporate the smile she's been instructed to display.  (We still get this fucking "advice", despite the fact we're arguing a case - just like our male counterparts who have probably never once in the history of time been told to smile - not competing in a beauty pageant.)  The government was arguing that ruling in the appellant's favor was going to destroy the American family, but she wasn't to speak to anything beyond her client's individual claim, and do so with a smile, lest she be unlikable.

I also, having worked at the ACLU, like that the organization was presented accurately; a tremendous organization doing crucial work, the "I'd rather be a woman in this country than a Black man, socialist, or religious minority" hierarchy Mel Wulf states to RBG was still alive and well when I was there, despite the profound systematic success of the Women's Rights Project RBG and Brenda Feigen got off the ground.  I love when RBG brings him the Moritz case, he says it's "beyond [their] mandate" and she responds, "The American Civil Liberties Union?  Women's rights are civil rights."  (I don't love still needing to point this out to some of my male "allies".)

The performances were great, and I especially loved Kathy Bates as Dorothy Kenyon.  (And please, can someone make a film about her, too - she clawed her way to admission to the NY bar in 1917, established her own firm with another woman in 1930, and devoted her life to social activism on behalf of women, laborers, consumers, the impoverished, etc.)  Felicity Jones didn't at all nail RBG's voice, but if she'd tried to it would have felt like an impersonation; what matters is she embodied her spirit.

I cried at the transition to the real RBG walking up the Supreme Court steps (rocking that outfit) at the end.  I feel her loss so profoundly, her having been such a personal hero of mine, and we're all going to feel it via the Court we now have for a dreadfully long time to come.

What a great movie!  The screenwriter, her nephew, had the perfect response to all the shit he took for how perfect a character Marty was, noting that innumerable fictional female characters have been written as devoted, supportive wives, and he comes along and accurately writes one real devoted, supportive husband, and there's an outcry.  (With all due appreciation for Martin Ginsburg on the record, my favorite scene between them was on the walk home after his boss told her she was a "smart girl" for marrying a star, and she told him the little dismissals matter, and add up, and shouldn't be shrugged off.  Because even men like Marty need to have their privilege pointed out to them sometimes.)

I also had a laugh at learning, via an interview featured on the DVD, that when he pitched the idea of this film to his aunt, she said, "If that's how you feel you want to spend your time" and invited him to go ahead and come interview her.  And that her notes on the script were as prolific as her notes on her clerks' briefs, and started on page one: She wouldn't be wearing heels in the opening scene where she enters Harvard Law School on her first day, because she walked to school from their apartment and thus wore flats.  Obviously, through the course of approving the script, she accepted little moments of dramatic license.

If you haven't yet seen this, honor the Notorious RBG's memory and do so, since it's a biopic that appropriately honors its subject.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Bastet