Wednesday 26 December 2018

Film Review: "On the Basis of Sex" (2018).


"Inspired by an incredible true story, of a woman who changed everything." This is On the Basis of Sex. This biographical legal drama film directed by Mimi Leder, and written by Daniel Stiepleman. The film tells an inspiring and spirited true story that follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination.

By late July 2017, Deadline reported that Leder and Felicity Jones were attached to direct and star in a film based on the life and early cases of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, penned by Stiepleman, Ginsburg's nephew. In early September, Hammer was cast to play Ruth's husband Martin. By October, Justin Theroux, Kathy Bates, Sam Waterston, Cailee Spaeny, Jack Reynor, Stephen Root, and Francis X. McCarthy rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and took place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Focus Features scheduled the film for a November 9, 2018 release date, but was pushed back to a December 25, 2018 limited release, with a January 11, 2019 wide release.

The film stars Jones, Hammer, Theroux, Bates, Waterston, Spaeny, Reynor, Root, and McCarthy. It has a reverence for its subjects that is so vital. Part of that is thanks to the incredible performances from the cast. Watching Jones bringing her all is the definitive element of the film. Jones is fun, expressive, endearing and turns her character's naive enthusiasm into a spontaneous emotional grip.

The film presented a brilliant woman who just wanted to do what was right. Overall, the film is an inspiring, empowering feature with stellar performances and a strong social message at its core. It is the subtlety and universality of the film which makes this a cinematic journey that stands apart from the pack. The film flows nicely and tells a heartwarming story about perseverance and triumph in the face of adversity. By and large, the film keeps the focus on the bold, brave, brilliant heroines at its core, even going so far as to have a nuanced rebuke of typical modern naïve sexism. You'll find nothing stylistically groundbreaking here, but Leder guides this feel-good drama with class and confidence. The film tells the fascinating story of a woman who has been undermined by history with great performances and an easy going confidence that their material is worth it. Of all the movies I've seen in 2018, the film is one of the most watchable and it is one I am eager for friends and family to go and see. It's an important film to be sure, but also a well-written and well-acted piece that's as inspiring as it is entertaining. It made me laugh and cry, with an ending that made me want to get up and cheer. Go watch it not just for the story, but also the excellent performances by the cast. Do yourself a favor and see the film. It's that good.

Simon says On the Basis of Sex receives:


No comments:

Post a Comment