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More than anything else, this is a celebration of the life, career and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And that's completely ok as more people need to be aware of how much of an impact she's had on US law. As Orrin Hatch says at some point: "Whether you agree with her or not, you've got to acknowledge she's been a force on that Court". But as a documentary, it doesn't have the greatest production value or a riveting narrative, losing momentum at times. I've been kickboxing all my life, race motorcycles and drink my scotch neat... and I'll never be half as badass as this tiny juggernaut of a woman!

"RBG" (2018 release; 95 min.) is a documentary about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As the movie opens, we see Ginsburg working out with her personal trainer. "I am 84 and everyone wants to take their picture with me", she comments. We then shift to her 1993 Supreme Court Senate confirmation hearings, where she opens with talking of her Brooklyn roots and upbringing, at which point the movie goes back to the 1930s. At this point we are less than 10 min, into the movie, and you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest movie from documentarians Julie COhen and Betsy West. Here they give us an "all access" portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a/k/a "Notorious RBG". As I am a lawyer myself, I am of course quite aware of her, but I must admit I knew very little of her background, and how it made the person that she is today. Just 2 things that stuck with me after the movie: Ginsberg is best known as the champion of gender equality. Did you know that she was one of only 9 female students (out of a class of about 500) at Harvard Law? and that she made law review? And that upon graduating (in 1959), not a single law firm in New York, NOT ONE, offered her a job? The other striking thing is the amazing relationship between Ruth (nicknamed "Kiki" by her childhood friends) and her husband Martin, which is featured prominently in the documentary. Oh, and there is one more thing to remember: the deep friendship between (liberal) RGB and (conservative) Supreme Court justice Antonia Scalia. In these uncertain times, it is important to remember that we don't have to be indignant, disrespectful and worse to people who have a different opinion than our own. In fact, strictly on policy issues, I probably disagree with RBG more than I agree, but that doesn't mean I can't have but the greatest respect for Ginsberg the person. What an icon she is, and the day that she retires from the Supreme Court will be a sad day for this country.

"RBG" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival to immediate acclaim. The movie opened this weekend on 2 screens at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it. The early Saturday evening screening where I saw this at was attended very nicely, and I thin that with the positive word-of-mouth this movie is sure to generate that this may have long legs at the art-house theater circuit, IF you are in the mood for an excellent documentary about a remarkable women, I'd readily suggest you check out "RBG", be it in the theater, on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.

This documentary tells you why actual feminism is about equality for both sides and why America is still a country filled with hypocrisy and powerful people who are stupid to not understand that and above all that, about a sweet and determined person and her growth for standing up for what is right.

I have been a fan of Justice Ginsburg since she first came into focus in the 70s, as an advocate of women's rights. This documentary about her life offers insight into her personal history and the people around her who supported her for so many years. She is an inspiration in so many ways. Shy and somewhat introverted, she never let that keep her from pursuing a career path that was unique for woman at the time. She entered Harvard Law School in 1956, one of 9 women in a class of 500 men. I resonated with her story about the Dean reportedly asking the female law students, "How do you justify taking a spot from a qualified man?"

Justice Ginsburg proudly speaks about being born and bred in Brooklyn. In the 70s she co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU. We listen to Gloria Steinem and Nina Totenberg reveal tales of her past that make you realize how pivotal her involvement in the women's movement was. Filmmakers Julie Cohen and Betsy West dig into the substance of this woman with a judicious zeal usually reserved for our deceased heroes. As a staunch feminist, her nomination to the Supreme Court could have been way-laid had not President Clinton been wowed by her in the first 15 minutes of her interview with him. Then, he knew that he had to put her on the Court.

The love story between Ruth and Martin Ginsburg is nothing less than awe-inspiring. I love how she tells about her undergraduate years at Cornell where there was a four to one ratio of boys to girls. "Every mother wanted to send their daughter there because, if you couldn't find a husband there, you were hopeless." She reveals that during her freshman year, she never dated the same boy twice. That is, until she met Marty, who was the first guy that recognized she had a brain. When President Carter brought her to the federal bench, Marty gave up his success career as a tax attorney in New York to move to DC to support her. He recognized Ruth for the super star that she is and later, when she was nominated to the Supreme Court, rallied on her behalf with endless enthusiasm. Also noted is that he was the cook in the family. Her children tell how they had to keep her out of the kitchen.

One thing I really like about this film is that it focuses on Justice Ginsburg's life long fight against gender discrimination. She experienced it first hand as a fresh law school graduate that could not get a job in any law office in New York City because "they didn't hire women." She has never given up the fight, and there have been many - for women in the military who were discriminated against for pay and benefits, for widowed men who couldn't get survivor benefits. She chose her plaintiffs carefully, picking a male to show that gender discrimination worked against both men and women.

Although this film may lack verve in terms of groundbreaking filmmaking, it is stunning beautiful in telling the story of a contemporary hero. 84-year-old Justice Ginsburg is an icon of our times. A woman who has weathered extremely difficult conditions and sits on the highest court in the country as someone dedicated to equality - for women, for people of different races and cultures - for all of us. She is a modern heroine and, as shy and quiet as she is - carries a big stick! I have been touting this film to all the young women and men in my universe and sending them to it. Most walk away stunned. My 20-year-old friends never even knew who she was before going to see the film. Many weep as they watch it. Now, that's something. That's important. If this film manages to get one young person's attention and give them the courage to stand up for what they believe, then these filmmakers have something to be outrageously proud of. I believe they have.

Reviewed by Ranny L., KIDS FIRST! Juror.

"Be a lady. Be independent." A living legend, an inspiring woman to all humans.

If you already adore Ruth Bader Ginsberg and want nothing more than to spend a couple of hours idolizing her, you will love this movie, as it's nothing more than hero worship. If you're looking for a more complex look at this remarkable woman, you won't find it here. The film doesn't elaborate much on the struggles Ginsberg faced, either personally or professionally, beyond quick outlines. I was left with so many questions about her that went unanswered. "RBG" is a lazy documentary capitalizing on anti-Trump and MeToo sentiment. It doesn't earn its stripes. RBG deserves better.

Grade: B-

Very well done, inspiring documentary on "notorious" Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I got a chance to catch it at Gasparilla Film Festival in Tampa, Florida. Highly recommend it because it's very motivating, informative and also charming. The film dwells into her life and the type of impact she makes on the world today.

I don't think anyone would call RBG a poor documentary - aside from glorifying its protagonist (and hell, she just might deserve it anyways), its exposition is clean and is about an important subject. That said, I will be quite disappointed if it wins best documentary at the Oscars. It has neither the deeper character and surrounding political climate present in Won't You Be My Neighbor, nor the intrigue or human nature considerations in Three Identical Strangers, yet neither was even nominated and RBG now seems like the front runner! Focusing on this documentary, it is a pleasing narrative but unremarkable. It is clear who RBG is throughout, and we don't really get anything deeper in her character than a quiet, intense person 100% committed to their task as judge, and very committed to ending sex-based discrimination. I would've liked to see more of the opposition she faced and the real intricacies of her fight - it seemed more like she worked really hard and change just happened naturally as she focused on it. I also didn't get a good sense of her personal life or what her job as a judge is like, a missed opportunity. I really don't even know what she believed in aside from women's rights. It's easy to watch and enjoy this appreciation for an enormously impactful and relevant American figure, but it's unfortunate that the picture is so one-dimensional in representing her and just shows her perspective and not much of others. Fine film, but superficial and forgettable.

"RBG" (PG, 1:38) is a documentary about the life of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is directed by documentary film producers Julie Cohen ("American Veteran") and Betsy West ("The Lavender Scare"). The film was released in U.S. theaters on May 4, 2018, after making the festival circuit in the first few months of the year during which it won a couple Best Documentary prizes.

The film traces Ginsburg's life from her childhood in Brooklyn, New York through her years struggling to be taken seriously as a young female law student and practicing attorney (but racking up impressive accomplishments nonetheless) and through her tenure on the highest court in the land and improbable emergence as a pop culture icon. The storyline is basically linear, but includes frequent jumps backward, forward and even sideways as it examines different aspects of her life, personality and public image.

Along the way, there's a good mix of historical photos, videos, audio clips and graphics, but the main driving force is the well-edited interviews. We hear from Ginsburg's children, her childhood friends, colleagues, admirers and even a few detractors, as well as fellow feminist hero Gloria Steinem, former President Bill Clinton and, of course, Ginsburg herself - at various public appearances, with her personal trainer and sitting down to discuss her life, even reacting to Kate McKinnon's portrayals of her on SNL.

"RBG" is a fascinating and fun documentary. It's unclear how much credit goes to the compelling subject matter vs. the skill of her documentarians, but Cohen and West do keep things moving and paint a well-balanced picture while keeping the audience's interest. Some will find it as difficult to separate their feelings about Ginsburg as a jurist from how they feel about her politics as the filmmakers probably had making their film relatively apolitical, but they did it. They manage to tell Ginsburg's story - and make clear what she believes in (even including a little bit of controversy) - while keeping the focus mainly on Ginsburg as a person and on this strong film as an interesting and entertaining historical document. "A-"

I love watching a film (especially a documentary) I didn't know I needed to see! Directors/documentarians Betsy West ("The Lavender Scare" 2017) and Julie Cohen ("American Veteran" 2017) have provided anyone remotely interested in the life and times of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a look into the world of this vibrant, yet quiet warrior who lead the fight for gender equality, and to this day continues to have an effect on the lives of many with her Supreme Court decisions and "notorious" dissenting opinions. Known to her followers as "Notorious RBG," (I've got to get one of these t-shirts!), this doc introduces us to her early years, where she was one of only a few women attending the all male Cornel University, and Harvard Law school, along with introducing us to Martin Ginsberg, an accomplished lawyer himself, who loved her for her brain, at time when women were not supposed to be outspoken, but only seen. Through one-on-one interviews and footage of her various speaking engagements, touching tributes by Martin and her children, interactions with her granddaughter and more, the audience is given a worthy, historical and entertaining glimpse into the world of this amazing women. At 84 years young, and an avid workout enthusiast, one can only hope we continue to see here effects on the US Supreme Court for years to come. You may not know you need to see this film, but you'll be pleasantly surprised when you do.

In what is essentially a nice companion piece to the Felicity Jones RBG biopic, On the Basis of Sex, the RBG documentary is a fairly straight forward telling of the marvelous accomplishments of the one and only, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It doesn't have the twists and turns of 3 Identical Strangers, the thrills of Free Solo, or the emotional gravitas of Won't You be My Neighbor, but there's something about Ginsburg that is must watch TV/movies. The charisma, heart, and sheer intelligence are virtually unmatched in the field she's in. Not to mention just how many groundbreaking accomplishments she had through the decades in changing the way the law works. This doc isn't as groundbreaking, but it sure is an interesting watch.

7.4/10

This tiny woman is a giant for our times. She has staunchly followed her leading to make women's equality a reality -- slowly, one measured step at a time, and succeeded in a quiet, determined way. Watch her story and you will believe that anything is possible!

The film keeps your attention because it shows her human side, her heart, and her determination -- all together in this wonderful woman. Her wonderful love story, her deep friendship with arch conservative Scalia, her enjoyment of theatre and opera, her wonderful sense of humor, her symbolism of the different collars she wears with her justice robes and, most of all, her unswerving path to fight for equality for both women and men of all races and backgrounds, all of this makes for an inspiring and interesting story.

The RBG is her nickname, Notorious R.B.G., a pun from rapper Notorious B.I.G. She has become a cultural icon but, more than that, she is a giant for our time. So much I didn't know before -- it's a really special film -- you will enjoy it and it will stay with you! Go see it and bring your friends and family.

Movie night with Gertie.

This is rousing documentary portrait of a modern icon. RBG isn't a critical portrait of its subject but an enlightening, affectionate one.

If I were to rate this documentary solely on the basis of its subject, I would give it a 10. RBG is a very interesting person, who has had a profound impact on the law, and it is worth learning about her regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum. Nonetheless, this documentary is extremely one-sided and intentionally leaves out important facts, or distorts them, solely to make its point.

First, by only viewing this documentary, one would think that her husband gave up his legal career to support RBG and cook dinner for her and the kids. The truth is that he had a very successful legal career as a tax lawyer and tenured professor at Columbia Law School. He did move to DC to be with RBG, but became a law professor at Georgetown Law School, not some house husband. The documentary mentions that RBG was shy and that it was needed for her husband to sing her praises during Senate confirmation. What it doesn't tell you is that her husband was the attorney for future Presidential Candidate and billionaire Ross Perot, and that Perot lobbied hard to get her nominated, as a way to return the favor for the hundreds of millions of dollars Ginsburg was able to save him. Perot's influence on Republicans, as well as lobbying by the Jewish community, is what allowed her to be so easily confirmed. The documentary makes it seem like she was confirmed 96-3 because she was so exemplary that she overcame political partisanship. But it's important to remember that Scalia was confirmed 98-0. A more honest documentary would have mentioned that the backing of Perot, and other Republicans, by her tax lawyer husband was crucial in both the confirmation hearings.

The bias of this documentary shines when it describes Scalia as a right wing nut job, and claims Ginsburg was able to maintain a friendship with him because of nonsense like 'always be a lady.' Anyone who knows RBG or Scalia knows that they were close friends who met for dinner weekly. It's not that she was just ignoring his politics and trying to remain civil. They were actually close friends and didn't let politics affect that. I think for those blinded by partisanship, it's hard to imagine being friends with someone who is on the opposite side of the political spectrum. But for most people, it isn't. RBG's husband himself was close friends with Perot, who while running as an independent twice, was a lifelong Republican and always endorsed Republican candidates.

The third issue this documentary glosses over is that many on the left spoke out trying to have RBG step down while Obama was still President. This way the Democrats would be able to retain the seat on the Supreme Court. She could even have had some say over who her replacement would be, and perhaps have had one of her former clerks be her replacement. But she decided to stay on even though she was slowing down and the quality of her output was waning. Nonetheless she tenaciously clung to power, and now she is battling cancer for the 4th time, and has no choice but to remain on the Court until we have a Democratic President. This documentary quickly addresses these criticisms (from the Left, mind you) by saying she would stay on until she couldn't "go full steam." The problem is that she hasn't been going full steam for nearly a decade now, and there is a good chance Trump will be able to place another Justice on the Court because of her. Yet this whole contentious issue is downplayed by repeatedly showing excerpts of her in the gym working out to some energetic music. Those of us who follow the Court are fully aware that she has slowed down considerably, and perhaps isn't all mentally there anymore (given her extremely poor choice of wading into the election by publicly criticizing a Presidential candidate). Some energetic workout music isn't going convince knowledgeable people otherwise.

There are many other issues that the documentary should have addressed; such as the lack of diversity in her clerks (a paucity of African-American and Hispanic clerks, as well as less women than would be expected), as well as a more thorough examination of her jurisprudence. Instead we get a one-sided propaganda piece that is making RBG out to be some sort of God, and not what she is, an impressive but human figure. Even those who tend to be on the Left, like myself, are a bit dissatisfied with the childish one-sided view of RBG.

The trick in reviewing this movie is to separate what you think of the subject, Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, from what you think of the art of the movie. What I think of Judge Ginsberg is not relevant to this site, so I'll restrict my comments to what I though of the movie, which I just saw this afternoon.

I thought this was really a very well put together documentary. A real effort was made to find people who have known RBG at different points in her life, from her childhood in Brooklyn to the current day. Some of the commentary is negative, especially at the opening, most of it is positive, but without fawning. Much of the movie is funny, which is a real achievement given that Ginsberg herself is not a particularly funny woman, nor is the law usually a barrel of laughs.

It does a reasonable job of explaining the development of her career as a lawyer and judge, and shows that, to a certain degree, her most important work was done before she arrived at the Supreme Court.

It keeps things moving, and never lost my attention.

It allowed conservative like Oren Hatch and Anton Scalia to express their views about her. They were both able to distinguish what they thought of her legal opinions and the respect they had for her legal mind.

A well done documentary.

"Being a woman was an impediment" It was 1970 America. The employers were allowed to legally fire a women for being pregnant. Many banks were requiring husbands to co sign for credit application. In few states, husbands were not prosecuted for raping their wives!

Men were considered as breadwinners and women pin money earners.

This is a story of a woman who experienced this gender discrimination and later became an advocate for gender equality and women's rights. She was an icon, a fierce queen of the judicial system. When asked once in an interview how good she knows law. She replied "I do not have any talent to be an opera singer:-)' . The 'Notorious RBG': Ruth Bader Ginsburg. An engaging and inspiring documentary about a small petite fearless iconic woman who served as an Associate Justice of Supreme Court for 27 years until her death. A Great watch.

This is a wonderful story about about a splendid American. It gives meaning to the phrase "A nation of laws". For those who do not know much about Ruth Bader Ginsberg, she has contributed much to our system. Take 2 hours to enjoy learning why documentary films provide so much that we need to know about contemporary America. This a gem. Don't miss it.

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library. We saw it after the movie based on her life, "On The Basis of Sex", and it is a good complement to that movie.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a curious person, very smart and very studious. She appreciates good humor, as evidenced by her watching SNL skits based on her and laughing heartily at them. But she herself rarely is humorous, she is serious, there is always work to do. Except for enjoying outings to the opera she mostly stays away from entertainment.

As a 20-something and a new law student at Harvard, she was first alerted to how discriminatory things were when a law dean asked her how she felt about taking a spot away from a man. (The movie also includes that scene.) Then later as a practicing lawyer realized how many laws were written specifically allowing discrimination against women. It wasn't unlike a decade earlier with discrimination against non-white citizens.

So now known as "Notorious RBG" and on the Supreme Court has made much of her life's work to correct that wrong, to work tirelessly for laws and practices that do not discriminate just because of one's gender. She was instrumental in getting VMI to begin to admit female students who could meet the requirements.

The documentary is very well made and no matter what your politics you have to admire the dedication and accomplishments of this woman.

Thank you Supreme Court Justice Mrs. Ginsburg for my father a widower. He was able to collect my mom's social security.

Note: 95 percent of this documentary is produced, directed, written and controlled by women.

Is this gender equality? or the New order!

An important documentary of an important historical figure. I had no idea of her history as an attorney who argued very specific cases to point out the discrepancies of treatment based on gender in U.S. law. People find it surprising that she was friends with Scalia; despite his political leanings, he was very similar to her husband: gregarious, funny, and cultured.

This showed so much about her entire life. Her past and how it shaped who she was and how she got to where she was. Her romantic and beautiful husband and family. Her professional relationship with the other justices and that, despite differing views, could not only make their differing decisions but be friends as well. Her family's viewpoints and the love between them is wonderful. I learned so much about history that happened while I was an oblivious girl. Not knowing that she was fighting for the rights that I and my daughters enjoy today. Worth watching!!

Viewing "RBG" and "On the Basis of Sex" in honor of the recent death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, it's readily apparent that this documentary does a far better job as a biopic--putting her earlier court cases over sex discrimination and her later rise amid internet memes as a cultural icon in a greater context without succumbing to overdramatization, although on the former account, "On the Basis of Sex" did well to acknowledge Ginsburg's predecessors Dorothy Kenyon and Pauli Murray, while, here, we do get Gloria Steinem as one of the interviewees. Of course, the focus is in on Ginsburg, though. Her case in "On the Basis of Sex" is recalled as part of a series of orchestrated legal battles in the fight for gender equality. The expository and participatory modes of the documentary do service to the thoughtful argumentation of these cases that the dramatized movie didn't seem capable of matching, distracted as it is in emotional arcs and conflicts. Not being a scholar of the law or social media, the "Notorious RBG" stuff, SNL skit and the like also helped me understand why there were two movies in a short span about a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Having also recently learned a similar lesson on Mister Rogers, I guess it's good to know that the veneration of great persons is still going strong. The heroes may've changed, but that there are heroes remains.

The part I especially like about "RBG" is its connection to music, which might otherwise seem misplaced in a narrative of a lawyer and judge, but besides being part of her biography does well to underscore the rhythm of the picture's montage. Apparently, Ginsburg was a fan of the opera. Her engagement with the public as a celebrity even leads her to perform in a couple of them. The other musical and performative engagement is from her fans. Among other pop-culture connections, this takes the form of borrowing the "notorious" part from rapper Notorious B.I.G. for "The Notorious R.B.G." From courtroom arguments, to opera and rap, there's a rhythm to all of it, and "RBG" does well to maintain that.

The Notorious RBG reeked of appropriated culture at the hands of middle-class White feminists. The whole documentary is hero service about a woman icon by women for women. It might as well have been a chick flick or rom-com with all its corny jokes and forced laughter. I grew so tired of the shots of audience members smiling and laughing at humor that was meant for old people. It felt like those students in class who laugh at a professor's jokes just because they know it could win them favor. Don't mistake my view here though. I think Justice Ginsburg is a fantastic woman. Her story is an inspiration to many young women as it should be. She has broken down unjust barriers in American society and that should be praised. I take qualms with the politics pushed so strongly here from feminists who call Justice Scalia a nutcase basically in an interview. This documentary left me with more questions than answers. The answers I did receive were not even ones that I was even looking for when I started the film. My time would have been spent much better working on school assignments than spending 90+ minutes watching a bunch of liberals worship their feminist hero. I would not revisit this movie ever. I felt as though I should have not watched it at all.