ReelBob: ‘On the Basis of Sex’ ★★½

By Bob Bloom

The opening shots of “On the Basis of Sex” focus on a sea of men’s shoes walking toward an academic building at Harvard Law School in the mid-1950s.

Suddenly, a lone pair of high heels appears among the shoes, standing out like an oasis in a desert.

Wearing those shoes is law student Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones), who is wanting to enter a door that usually proclaims, “Men Only.”

“On the Basis of Sex,” directed by Mimi Leder and written by Daniel Stiepleman, looks at the early career and social trials Ginsburg faced as well as the groundbreaking case she brought with her husband, Martin (Armie Hammer), to the U.S. Court of Appeals that tested more than a century of gender discrimination.

And while the movie is inspirational and a tribute to the current Supreme Court justice, it uses an approach that views the overwhelming majority of men then as condescending assholes who wish to maintain the professional status quo and discourage women from practicing law.

This attitude, as factual as it may be — though I suspect it has been heightened for dramatic purposes — seems to undercut Ginsburg’s legal legacy.

In no way is this meant to diminish the obstacles Ginsburg faced, but the movie greatly tips the scales of justice in her favor.

It seems that the stereotypical individuals portrayed by Sam Waterston as one of Ginsburg’s professors and, later, as the nation’s Solicitor General, and Stephen Root as Brown, another of Ginsburg’s professors — and their one-dimensional characterizations — make those who scorned Ginsburg’s legal acumen too easy to overcome.

Still, it would have made “On the Basis of Sex” a stronger movie if most of the male opposition was not presented as buffoons, who focused more on Ginsburg’s rise in the legal community than the law.

The movie would have benefited from a bit more emphasis on Ginsburg’s ability to convey her knowledge and teaching of the law to a new generation of students — mostly female — during her tenure at Rutgers University.

The movie’s major flaw is that it hews too close to the conventional tropes of the biopic genre; instead, it should be as groundbreaking as its subject. The film seems content to merely gloss over her life and career until it reaches the pivotal case that has defined Ginsburg.

Instead, in many instances, it falls back on bromides and formulaic situations to advance Ginsburg’s journey.

One of the disadvantages of “On the Basis of Sex,” is that it has been released while the memory of the excellent Ginsburg documentary, “RBG,” remains fresh in the minds of many viewers.

And while that is definitely unfair, it does cut into the impact of Ginsburg’s story by basically simplifying many aspects of her life.

Sure, that is the course many biopics must follow because of running-time constraints and dramatic considerations.

The movie’s upside is the performances of Jones and Hammer, as well as their chemistry and the depiction of their marital and legal partnership. Not only do they love each other, they each respect and have confidence in the others’ legal skills.

Jones brings an outspokenness and idealism to Ginsburg that also is tempered by her insecurities and vulnerabilities. In public, in the classroom and in court, she can be defiant and sharp, but in private moments, especially with Martin, she can voice her doubts.

Hammer complements Jones, offering a portrayal of a brilliant tax attorney who supports his wife in all aspects of her career and is unconcerned if she eventually overshadows his own talents.

“On the Basis of Sex” is a feel-good movie that may be indicted by some for playing it too safe. The final verdict, of course, rests with the real Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

ON THE BASIS OF SEX
2½ stars out of 4
(PG-13), language, suggestive content