Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Adam's Rib (1949)
"Katharine Hepburn, thin, nervous, and high-strung, keeps pecking away at Spencer Tracy, who is solid, imperturbable, and maddeningly sane." - Pauline Kael
"Adam's Rib" opens powerfully with a wife discovering her husband in a compromising situation with his mistress. In a fit of blind rage, she fires her gun in their general direction. However, the film loses its momentum in the ensuing courtroom drama and the dynamic between the two opposing counsel who are also married to each other.
Attempting to straddle both light-hearted comedy and serious commentary on gender equality, "Adam's Rib" uses marital conflict and courtroom drama to drive its narrative. Striking a balance in creating a courtroom comedy is challenging; "My Cousin Vinny" is one of the few films that has successfully managed it. Making serious social commentary humorous in a light-hearted manner is also difficult. This film veers away from sharp social satire, which affects its entertainment value and dilutes its social commentary.
Please be aware that this review contains plot and humor spoilers.
At the start of the film, a woman is seen covertly trailing a man into an apartment building. Before entering the mistress's domicile, the wife is shown holding a gun and a small pamphlet on how to use it. She consults the instructions, looks down the barrel of her loaded revolver, refers back to the instructions, and then points the barrel towards the locked door of the mistress. She closes her eyes, fires at the door, then enters to find her husband in a compromising position and begins shooting blindly out of rage.
The scene then shifts to another married couple. The husband (played by Spencer Tracy) is a prosecutor, an assistant D.A., who believes the woman should be prosecuted. His wife (portrayed by the incomparable Katharine Hepburn) is a defense attorney, who naturally believes the woman deserves a strong defense. The defense attorney argues that a man in an equivalent situation would escape prosecution, highlighting society's double standards.
In today's terms, Katharine Hepburn's stance would be termed restorative justice. The 1940s were a time when women's rights were beginning to evolve. America was just 5 years out of World War II, a period when women had demonstrated their capability in roles traditionally held by men. However, it was challenging for a woman to become a high-ranking lawyer during that time, and married women even struggled to open bank accounts.
"Adam's Rib" effectively advocates for women's equality, but struggles when it tries to be both a serious discourse on gender equality and a light-hearted comedy simultaneously. The film includes scenes such as a large woman performing backflips before a judge and jury and lifting the protesting D.A.
One of the film's strengths is that it does not draw conclusions. However, this is also a weakness. While the cheating husband is depicted negatively, his wife who shoots him isn't portrayed in a wholly positive light either. The arguments of both the D.A. and the defense attorney hold merit, and the film refrains from passing judgement on the case. The D.A. asserts that even if some men have gotten away with murder, it doesn't mean a wife should be allowed to shoot someone without repercussions. The defense attorney counters that society is more forgiving of a cheating husband than a violent wife, and asks the audience to consider how they would judge if the roles were reversed. The lively courtroom debates between the D.A. and defense attorney, who are married, lead them towards considering divorce.
The film is loosely based on real-life events. In reality, the opposing counsels did divorce and ended up marrying their clients. In the film, however, the opposing counsel reconcile, at least in the bedroom. While the film shows sympathy towards both wives, it doesn't exclusively side with the women, leaving the audience to decide who is right. Personally, I believe that both characters are flawed, but society's tolerance for men's imperfections makes them appear less perfect than the women. However, the film doesn't explicitly lead us to this conclusion or even hint at it.
"Lawyers should never marry other lawyers. This is called in-breeding; from this comes idiot children and more lawyers."
- You don't appreciate classic cinema.
- You're not fond of courtroom dramas.
- You don't enjoy subtle humor and clever dialogue.
- You're looking for dynamic action or special effects.
- You're not interested in themes of gender equality and relationship dynamics.
- You're below the age of 12. While there's nothing particularly inappropriate in the movie, younger audiences might not appreciate the themes and dialogue-heavy script.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Directed by Frank Capra, "Arsenic and Old Lace" is a wonderful comedy-thriller that fans of "Adam's Rib" might appreciate. Starring Cary Grant in one of his most animated performances, the movie is filled with macabre humor and riotously funny character interactions that resemble those in "Adam's Rib".
His Girl Friday (1940):If you loved the sharp-witted banter and dynamic character chemistry in "Adam's Rib", then "His Girl Friday" would likely be an enjoyable watch. A classic screwball comedy starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, this film dives into the ruthless world of journalism with clever dialogue, fast-paced humor, and a keen commentary on gender roles.
"The Philadelphia Story" (1940):"The Philadelphia Story" would be a great match for an "Adam's Rib" fan. This romantic comedy features the legendary Katharine Hepburn, who also starred in "Adam's Rib", alongside Cary Grant and James Stewart. The film is known for its witty script, charming characters, and sophisticated humor.
"Pillow Talk" (1959):If you appreciated the head-to-head banter between a male and female lead in "Adam's Rib", then "Pillow Talk" is a must-watch. This film puts a fresh and comedic spin on the battle of the sexes and boasts two powerhouse performers, Rock Hudson and Doris Day, switching between humor, romantic tension, and heartfelt moments with aplility.
"The Thin Man" (1934):"The Thin Man" is a delightful blend of comedy, mystery, and romance that should appeal to any fan of "Adam's Rib". It follows the adventures of a retired detective and his witty wife. The film, much like "Adam's Rib", thrives on the chemistry, witty dialogue, and compelling dynamics between its two leads, played by William Powell and Myrna Loy.
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