On The Basis Of Sex (2018)

In 1956, a young female Harvard law student (Felicity Jones) juggles an ill husband (Armie Hammer), a baby and her studies. Defying sexism at almost every corner (after all it is the 1950s), it only fortifies her determination to level the playing field. In 1972, she will get to strike the first blow in the historic Moritz vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue discrimination case. Directed by Mimi Leder (DEEP IMPACT), the film documents the early struggles of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a straight forward manner from 1956 to 1972 with the emphasis on the case which would turn the tide in her career as a lawyer. As far as bio pics go, it's a solid if unexceptional entry. It's no more than an HBO movie (that's not meant as a put down, HBO does good stuff) really but in the current political climate, its message couldn't be more timely. The performances are solid right down the line. With Justin Theroux, Kathy Bates, Sam Waterston, Cailee Spaeny, Chris Mulkey and Wendy Crewson.