March 28, 2019
By Nicolle Tyszka
Staff Writer
Since the dawn of time, males have been regarded as superior to females, a notion that is evident just from looking at the word “woman,” which is built from the word “man.” Luckily strong-willed women like United States Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have fought against sexism and championed equality.
Her achievements were so substantial that they became the subject of the biographical film “On the Basis of Sex,” which became available for home viewing on March 26. Nicknamed “the notorious RBG,” the now 86-year-old feminist from Brooklyn is depicted as a sharp, strong-willed and courageous law professor who works with her husband to help Charles Moritz, who is seeking a tax deduction for nursing assistance needed for the care of his aging mother.
Appropriately, the film was directed by an all-female team consisting of filmmakers Julie Cohen and Betsey West, film editor Carla Guitierrez, associate editor Grace Mendenhal, associate producer Nadine Nautour and cinematographer Claudia Raschke. The movie’s female leadership is a reflection of Ruth’s influence on women and her belief in female empowerment.
The film opens with a scene of Ruth entering Harvard Law school in 1956. The camera pans to a room full of male students, and she is the only female in sight. Although she tries to make conversation with a man next to her, he does not respond but rather stares her down in an unamused way.
The presence of her husband Marty, who also attends Harvard Law School, brings out her humor, as she candidly asks him, “Which dress makes me look more like a Harvard man?”
All nine females attending Harvard are forced to sit at a table with administrators who question them unnecessarily, saying, “Tell us why you are occupying a place at Harvard that could’ve belonged to a man.”
When one of the females responds that she doesn’t wish to get married or become a teacher or nurse, she is told that “isn’t a good enough reason” to want to be a lawyer. When it was Ruth’s turn to introduce herself, she showcases her wit by offering the explanation that she knows will please the administrators. She tells them she is attending Harvard to learn about her husband’s work and to become a more patient, understanding wife.
More conflict arises during a game of charades when Marty falls to the ground in pain, clutching onto the fabric of his shirt over his chest. He ends up in an emergency room where he is diagnosed with testicular cancer. With a survival rate of just 5 percent, he agrees to a groundbreaking treatment that is followed by radiation.
The love story between the pair is showcased during Marty’s treatment when Ruth takes notes for him in addition to attending her own classes and taking care of their young child.
After transferring to Columbia University in New York City and earning her degree, she cannot find a job as a lawyer because female attorneys are perceived as too emotional and because male lawyers say their wives would get jealous. After being rejected at 13 law firms, she accepts a job teaching at Rutgers University School of Law where she is expected to add diversity since she is replacing a black lawyer.
In 1970, the Ginsburgs pair up to work on a tax law case that assumes a caretaker to be female. With Marty’s specialization in tax law and Ruth’s interest in equality, the two take on the case and pave the way for the abolition of gender discrimination laws, as the previous cases in court fighting for female equality all lost. Ruth shows her tenacity and passion as she fights for what she believes is right, knowing this case could serve as a reference for future gender discrimination cases that would ultimately give women more power.
This film has the intensity to keep viewers hooked and has a heartwarming appeal that prevents the legal drama from seeming dry. While historical films sometimes have a reputation of being boring and slow-moving, that is not the case in “On the Basis of Sex.”
This film highlights just one of Ruth’s achievements. A legend and role model for people to emulate, Ruth is a true inspiration, and that most certainly comes across in this must-see film.
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