Alla corte di Ruth - RBG

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.

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.

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!

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.

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-