RBG

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.

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.

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.

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-