When did you last go to a movie in which the audience applauded as the credits rolled? (It is not a typical Canadian response.) Behind me, a young female law student was weeping. As I sat there, I was deeply and intellectually moved by the power of this woman's life and the subsequent effect she has had on our lives, on my life, and I had been totally unaware of her. Let me put that in context. Although I am 20 years younger than RBG, her litigational years were my culturally maturing years (college, university and entering the work force). That was the culture of my years, her years, and I thought I knew the seminole personalities of my time but I had never heard of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Indeed, until these past two years (in which she has gained a rock-star like celebrity) I had no idea of her influence on my life. This movie (and the excellent documentary, RBG, which, on the recommendation of other movie goers last night, I watched as background for this review) have now convinced me that I would not have been allowed to be the person I have become had she not addressed the legal restrictions of gender in the law of the United States that undermined a global sense of personhood. I am Canadian, so these were not my laws she changed, but the culture of the civil rights struggle in America was not lost on us. My maturing personal ethic of the time, cradled by my faith in a just God and a loving, growing relationship with Jesus, was not of feminism but of the rights of every person to live under a judicially just system and in a compassionate and culturally rich society. I appreciate now that this was the justice for which RBG challenged her legal system. Thank you, Mimi Leader and Daniel Stiepleman for telling her story. Now, concerning the merits of the movie, itself: The cast is superb and the performances of Felicia Jones and Armie Hammer were deep and warm. I was also impressed by how the role of young Jane Ginsburg, adeptly performed by Cailee Spaeny, gathered in the emotional climate of the time. Wonderfull cameo performances. The cinematography and soundtrack brought a sense of grandeur and the costumes a sense of style and subtle class. I give this movie a 10 (important) out of 10. [BioPic]
