Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been an Associate Supreme Court Judge for 25 years after being appointed by past President Bill Clinton. At age 85, Justice Ginsburg has lead a life in which she has continually fought for the rights of women and minorities. She has ruled on major cases such as Obergefell v. Hodges (granted same-sex marriage in all 50 states) and United States v. Virginia (annulled universities that only excepted males). Because of her life’s work, many people of all ages look up to her. On December 25th, Christmas, there will be a new Focus Features film coming to theatres called On The Basis of Sex. The movie follows the life of young attorney Ginsburg and showcases the discrimination that she faced during the early years of her career.
In 1956, Ginsburg was one of nine women out of 500 men to be entered into the class of 1956 at Harvard Law, all while she was married and raising a baby. Over the years she rises to the top of her class despite the criticism from many around her including the schools own dean of administration. Ginsburg’s husband, Martin, faces a medical emergency, during this time she keeps them both on track to succeed in their careers, all while taking care of their infant daughter.
Years go by and Ginsburg becomes a professor at Rutgers Law School where she teaches about gender discrimination and law. Martin shows her a seemingly unremarkable case having to do with taxation, but Ginsburg soon realizes that if she were to win the case it would set a new precedent that would go against the long fought gender oppression struggle that she had been facing all through her life.
On The Basis of Sex was written by Ginsburg’s nephew, Daniel Spiegelman and has been in the making for several years. Actress Felicity Jones stars as Ginsburg along with actor Armie Hammer who portrays Martin or “Marty” Ginsburg, Ruth Ginsburg’s husband and legal partner. Other popular actors that are making an appearance include Kathy Bates, Justin Theroux, Jack Reynor, and Cailee Spaeny. Ruth Ginsburg herself gives her own stamp of approval by making an appearance within the final scene of the film.
While Ruth Bader Ginsburg may not be the most notorious Supreme Court Judge since the confirmation of Brent Kavanagh, she is undoubtedly a beloved character and has served on the Supreme Court for a quarter of a century. Ginsburg is considered a real American hero, and her accomplishments are balanced by the humbleness of her nature. For the entirety of her career she has been battling sexism, and because of this, she is someone that many people look up too. On The Basis of Sex is an important film that shows the struggles women were facing in that time. The film is also important because it follows the story of an incredible woman who never gave up in the face of unrelenting sexism. Out on December 25th, Christmas, this is a film everyone should see.
by Jill Miller
The Claw 