Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a much lauded figure in America, well, certain sections of it at least. Her pioneering work on changing the law in favour of equality for women was extremely important. Only a few weeks ago, an Oscar nominated documentary, RBG, was released and now we have a dramatic telling of some of her early work.
Following her excelling at both Harvard and Columbia law schools, her subsequent inability to work as a litigating lawyer because of her gender to a precedent setting win at a court of appeal, it is hard not to get caught up in the story to an extent but this is a pretty standard biopic, taking all the beats you would expect, ending in a moment of triumph just when things as seemed lost.
It’s always pretty watchable but a little bland, not helped by the casting of the uncharismatic Felicity Jones in the lead role. Arnie Hammer fares a little better as her husband and fellow lawyer, Martin. The better performances can be found from such seasoned performers as Sam Waterston and Stephen Root as two of her adversaries, and especially Cailee Spaeny as her sparky daughter, Jane.
In a role that could have been throwaway, she conveys both her independent stubbornness and her love and admiration for her mother in an impressive way. Aside from Spaeny, there is nothing else remarkable in this decent enough movie that for audiences outside of America, where the reverence for the constitution is a little baffling, lacks a real emotional punch.
Rating: 6 out of 10