On the Basis of Sex (Review)

On the Basis of Sex Gives Us a Hero Appropriate for the Time.

Most movies have heroes running around on roof tops wearing capes, but On the basis of Sex brings us one that might be a little less dramatic, but one that is more relevant than ever given the times we live in. There is no arguing that Ruth Bader-Ginsburg is one of the most important figures in history when it comes to the fight for equality. In a time when women were patted on the head and told what a good job they were doing, she refused to bow to the condescension of men threatened by those who could potentially prove they might not be the kings of the world that they saw themselves as. That they might (and most often are) just shit heads who got where they were because they were born with privilege they refuse to admit to.

In 2018 a documentary on Ruth Bader-Ginsburg was released chronicling her rise called RBG. While On the Basis of Sex might not be an appropriate substitute for RBG it proves to be a wonderful compliment to it. Felicity Jones portrays Ginsburg on the big screen and manages to embody the very spirit of, well, an incredibly spirited woman. Jones is a literal David versus Goliath from the very first scene as she manages to earn a spot at Harvard Law and is immediately treated as though she were “lucky” to have a spot that should have gone to a man. That initial moment sets the tone for the rest of On the Basis of Sex and the rest of the film follows her uphill battle against rich, old white men set in ways that have long since past. Even without the inherent sexism that Ginsburg faces, the trials she faces in Law School alone would be enough to knock any lesser person flat on their ass. Not only is she a mother with a young child, but her husband, played by Armie Hammer faces a battle with cancer. Even with all this going on, she manages to excel and proves in that alone that women can do anything men can do, and often time do it with one hand tied behind their back.

I admire director Mimi Leder’s approach to the script written by Daniel Stiepleman in On the Basis of Sex. It would have been easy to fill the film with a ton of condescending bastards and vilified every man who appeared on screen. Instead of that though, there is great care taken with Hammer’s portrayal of Marty Ginsburg (it’s weird seeing him play the opposite character that he did in Sorry to Bother You). He’s everything a man should aspire to be as he stands by and supports his wife. Note that I specifically say “stands by,” because I mean that he not only stands by her side but also doesn’t take it upon himself to be a knight in shining armor. he doesn’t rush to her aid or try to lift her up, instead he has her back through it all supporting her in what she desires while showering her with a constant stream of optimism and emotional support. He early on recognizes what the others come to realize about his wife and Hammer chooses to take on a role as admirerer that savior.

While it’s great to see Ginsburg’s first triumph in the court room, I feel the scenes that focus on her relationship with her husband and her children are the most crucial when it comes to shaping her as a beacon of justice in the battle for gender equality. Early on her daughter, played by Cailee Spaeny, tells her mother about her early efforts in feminism: “It’s not a movement if everyone is sitting. It’s a support group.” As with most mother-daughter relatiopnships, the two butt heads, but also inspire each other. The same goes with her husband. Because of the people who support and believe in her, Ginsburg is able to fight the good fight. With an army of support at her back, she has free reign to take on the biggest foes.

On the Basis of Sex downfall is that it tries to be blatant and a little heavy handed at times when it doesn’t need to be. The meesage that it’s trying to convey is clear consistantly through the film. However, that doesn’t stop it from making absolutely certain that you get it. This mostly comes from the incredibly subjective camera work used by Leder that lingers a bit too long in certain places in order to drive the points home. It’s not too blatant, but it seems pointless given that it’s a well told story that manages to hit all the major beats that it needs to.

I won’t say that On the Basis of Sex is a must-see movie, but it’s one that should be seen. It paints a picture of what could be by revisiting the past of an incredible woman. There’s no arguing that the world isn’t a better place because of Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, and I’m hoping that movies like this will help to inspire more to follow in her footsteps. She was a woman who didn’t hate men but hates a society that determined anyone’s value or potential from the moment they’re born. On the Basis of Sex is a welcomed film that manages to give an inspiring woman the bio-pic she deserves.