RBG

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.

"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.

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-

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.