2018 was a banner year for celebrating the brilliance and trail blazing power of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. There was the Oscar nominated documentary, RGB, and the based-on-a-true-story narrative starring Oscar nominee Felicity Jones, On the Basis of Sex—available now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download.
Whereas the doc chronicled everything from her early days on this planet to her historic run on the U.S. Supreme Court, the new to home video movie does a stellar job of showcasing the incredible hurdles Ginsburg had to leap over to get where she is today. From aspiring to even possess the desire to be a lawyer, to getting into and excelling at law school and then her triumphant work with the ACLU on behalf of women everywhere, it is a stunning story that if it wasn’t true, you would have a hard time believing this woman’s extraordinary life was even possible.
Jones (Rogue One, The Theory of Everything) could not have been a better choice to tackle this important role. You only get one shot to do a biopic (i.e. nobody remakes or reboots somebody’s life story) and as is the case with any kind of film, 80-percent of the pre-filming stature of a movie is casting. There is a character arc to RGB’s story that is beyond rich, layered and historic. Much of Ginsburg’s story, in terms of her professional trajectory, is fueled by her heavenly gifts, being on the right side of history and … the unwavering support of her husband. Armie Hammer stars as Martin Ginsburg and yet again, the casting was spot-on. His role in her life and what she achieved is masterfully captured in On the Basis of Sex. As an actor, Hammer has been hit or miss, completely depending on the role and the film. Currently, Hammer is on a roll. He blew us away in Hotel Mumbai and with his stunning turn in the RGB biopic, he is slaying it.
Mimi Leder directs with pitch perfect tone, pacing and crafting a landscape for her actors that encourages them to push the envelope of characterization and embrace taking risks. She knows the importance of this film and how, if done right, it will be embraced as part of the history that is RGB and the wake her life is leaving on the world. After making her mark in a couple of 90s actioners—Deep Impact and The Peacekeeper—she turned to the small screen and in the process became a true actor’s director. Her work brought out the best in a small army of actors that, I believe, is what led her to this moment. Even though this is Jones’ movie to carry, with a strong assist from Hammer, there is an ensemble of thespians who elevate and already impressive script from Daniel Stiepleman.
For example, Justin Theroux is riveting as ACLU icon Mel Wulf, who first gave Ginsburg the platform to wage a legal war on an establishment that was stacked against women, but also the wider swatch of public that are the disenfranchised. The Leftovers (where he was directed by Leder) star gives us a performance that is unlike any we’ve seen of him thus far in his career. Talk about a revolutionary turn, one of our favorite actors—Sam Waterston—plays against type in a role that has us despising him (a rarity for the man who always endears us to him through his innate talents in parts such as Jack McCoy in Law and Order and even dating back to The Killing Fields as Sydney Schanberg. Then, there’s Oscar winner Kathy Bates as Dorothy Kenyon (a woman who is worthy of her own biopic), the civil liberties lawyer, judge and advocate who saw something special in Ginsburg and in many ways, served as a mentor that we as a society should collectively thank.
What’s most fascinating about On the Basis of Sex is that its gifts lie in the surprise factor. The film paints a picture that illustrates that for those of you who think you know RGB’s story? Think again. These cases that she worked, the people who she went into courtroom battle with and the man she was married to, they all served as puzzle pieces that all put together made the woman who sits on the highest court in the land and has the power to change, alter, influence and make history. It’s a stunning piece of work on every level.
A Supreme Team: Making on the Basis on Sex is one rich behind-the-scenes look at the making of a biopic that should serve as a lesson on how one does biopics correctly. Of particular note was Leder’s insight as to what drew her to the story—and it goes way beyond the obvious. Some fascinating material is included here, including how RGB had final script approval (you go girl!), finding the “character” at the heart of this story and how that element was integral in exactly how filmmakers would tell the story as a whole. That kind of dedication and forward thinking is felt, seen and heard on every frame of the film, so kudos to all involved for this featurette that—even at under seven minutes—manages to tell us more about the making of a movie than 80-percent of the home video releases we screen.
Legacy of Justice is one featurette that you will want to dive right into as soon as the credits close the film. This bonus feature finds the cast and crew waxing poetic about the legend whose life is celebrated in their film. As if her work on the Supreme Court and what we learn from this picture wasn’t enough, Legacy of Justice dives even deeper into her place in history and how she is currently shaping it.
Given how important Martin Ginsburg was to RGB, having the featurette Martin and Ruth: A Loving Partnership included in the On the Basis of Sex bonus features is such a gift. The importance of the relationship is further explored in the featurette that will make your heart skip a beat at how endearing these two are to each other.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A