Following on from the release of the Oscar nominated documentary, RBG, On The Basis of Sex sees Mimi Leder take on the story of the legendary Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The film charts her journey from promising Harvard law student, along her rise to prominence and on to the case that truly established her as a significant legal voice in America’s justice system. But how well does the film capture RBG’s character and determination?
Following RBG’s legal beginnings at Harvard Law School at a time when women were barely accepted to study in any more than a token gesture, it shows how hard she had to work just to gain fair acknowledgment or any consideration for a job. But having taken a position as a professor at a college, and with the support and encouragement of her husband and children behind her, she is able to keep working towards her ambitions of practicing law. Eventually, her perseverance lands her a case that allows her to truly begins her work in establishing gender as a case of civil rights.
At this stage of her career Felicity Jones has started to carve out an identity as a safe pair of hands in strong supporting roles. From her supporting roles in The Theory of Everything (2014) to A Monster Calls (2016) she has become a trustworthy actress, capable of bringing credence and honesty to the characters she portrays and raise those she shares the screen with.
Other than Chalet Girl (2011), Jones has yet to hold another principle lead role in a major film, so this was a breakout stand alone role for her and there could be few more inspiring roles in which to make this career progression. Despite RBG’s inimitable character and personality, she inhabits the role well, capturing her essence beautifully as the forcefully determined, yet dignified presence that she is. Jones manages to fittingly reflect RBG’s almost innate ability to balance the challenges of parenthood with the almost insurmountable workload of her studies and legal work.
Alongside Jones, Armie Hammer – playing her husband Martin – is a strong and able support and counterpoint to her performance throughout. His calm and assured presence helps capture their shared focuses and determination but equally his unwavering support and belief. When viewed alongside RBG – and the family’s recollections of Martin’s life – Hammer’s performance can be seen to be an excellent encapsulation of the couple’s real relationship.
Following the growth of the ‘#metoo’ movement, it is important to look for figureheads, influential icons of the women’s rights movement to celebrate and acknowledge for the tireless ground work they lay down as foundations for today’s movements. Ruth Bader Ginsberg is just a figure, and remains so, as a current serving supreme court justice. The importance of this picture was in getting her representation right and telling her story in an emotive and important tone that is indicative of her and her standing in modern American history.
In that light, it is right that the direction of this film was taken on by a female director. Mimi Leder does a terrific job bringing this story together without collapsing into fawning romanticism that would have weakened the representation. What Leder and Felicity Jones collectively achieve thankfully, is to truly imbue this portrayal with the force and determination that fuels her, and to show her formidable willpower whilst showing her human weaknesses too. She is well rounded, human and honestly portrayed and that is to the film’s credit. Actor and director combine so well to take this significant life and showcase it with honesty.
As biopics go, On The Basis of Sex is nothing especially groundbreaking, but it does carry a poise and dignity of storytelling that compliments its protagonist beautifully. The film didn’t completely grasp me throughout and there were points where it lagged a little bit but overall, it retained its sense of character which is an admirable feat.
Betsy West and Julie Cohen’s aforementioned documentary RBG worked better on the whole in telling Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s story, but this film certainly brought an added dimension to her character and biography. All in all it’s a fascinating film about an incredible woman and her equally incredible life; a very worthwhile watch.
Coming of age stories have the power to transport us back to our own formative years or speak to us at our current stage in life (depending on where we are in our lives). When done well the impact of such stories, is to force a nostalgia, a reminiscence, perhaps even draw a smile or cause us to shed a tear… or both. Of all the emotive aspects of all of our young lives, the most lasting is arguably our first love, that whirlwind of suddenly being enraptured unto another. It is into that cocktail of passion, excitement, hormones and confusion 
Through The 4th Wall 