On the Basis of Sex Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

On the Basis of Sex Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 2, 2019

When -- and why -- did Ruth Bader Ginsburg become so popular? The recently little-seen Supreme Court Justice, whose age and health (which was the subject of an accidentally broadcast "in memoriam" graphic on Fox News) and left-leaning vote on the judiciary with a Republican in the White House has certainly put her, and her seat on the court, in the spotlight, but the Brooklyn, New York native has recently become something of a cultural icon. There was recently a well-reviewed documentary about the justice, who was nominated and subsequently voted onto the court in 1993 by a vote of 96 to 3, which seems impossibly bipartisan now only a quarter-century later. The justice, dubbed "Notorious R.B.G.," is now the subject of a Felicity Jones (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story)-starring biopic about the justice's young days at Harvard Law School and her subsequent groundbreaking work in gender equality under the law.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Jones) is one of the few women attending Harvard Law School. Even though she and her fellow female classmates have gained admittance, they still face a number of gender-based obstacles. They are forced to defend their admittance over a male candidate, for example, but Ginsberg quickly proves her worth, rising to the top of her class and displaying critical thinking skills and a broad, deep knowledge of the law, legal precedent, and key court cases. When her husband Martin (Armie Hammer), also a Harvard Law student, falls ill with testicular cancer, she carries both her own work load and much of his, attending his classes, faithfully taking notes, reteaching him, and typing his papers per his oral dictation. But when he takes a job in New York, Ruth is forced to transfer to Columbia. She graduates with a dazzling record but cannot find employment as a lawyer anywhere in the city. She ultimately takes a teaching gig at Rutgers and soon finds herself in the midst of a key court case, fighting for gender equality in a most unusual way, advocating for a man (Chris Mulkey) who has been denied a tax deduction for serving as his ill mother's primary caretaker where the law says only a woman can receive said tax benefits.

On the Basis of Sex is just so...predictable: predictable in purpose and predictable in presentation. What should be -- and what obviously wants to be -- an inspiring film about a key figure in the fight for gender equality in the second half of the 20th century is instead a film that feels like it was made in a movie factory, pieced together from prefabricated components that work well together and tell a coherent and commendably critical story, but the movie is often without soul. Ginsburg faces the expected onslaught of sexism, both overt and unintentional, that forces her to double down on fighting not only for herself but for everyone held back by their gender. One of the movie's best scenes, one of the few that feels genuine, comes when Ginsburg is looking for a job after graduating from law school. She's been turned down a dozen times, and she spouts off a list of the excuses she's been fed as to why she's unhirable. She would be "too busy at bake sales to be effective." "Women are too emotional to be lawyers." Another firm hired a woman a year ago, she is told, and they certainly don't need two. Jones delivers the scene with gusto, from a wounded, but still steadfast, center that tells her she's better than having to face such conspicuous discrimination. The seemingly sympathetic lawyer with whom she is interviewing and shares this story of rejection ultimately does the same, citing his as a "close-knit firm" where her presence would make the lawyers' wives "jealous." Another flimsy excuse. But such powerful scenes that really get to the point with any kind of resonance are few and far between. Mostly, the movie is a makeshift exercise in theme building, in throwing together chronological highlight reels of Ginsburg's hard work to break through the glass ceilings of her time, which were obviously much higher and much more shatter-resistant in those days.

Jones, at least, inhabits the character with a believable sense of determination and intelligence. Even if the script is shallow, Jones' work at bringing to life a younger version of one of the most recognizable icons of this age is above reproach. She melts into the character and nails the proper temperament of an educated fighter, someone who refuses to play to the system or surrender to conformity. Jones does not shy away from the pains and frustrations, but she also doesn't back away from a fight. In a word, the character's devotion drives the narrative, and Jones' ability to maintain focus through obstacles, to thrive on finding legal answers to social questions and battling the very system that aims to keep her down, defines that determination from start to finish. Hammer is excellent as the loving spouse, a positive male model in the film and really the only one who sees the world as it should be, as his wife wants it to be, from the beginning, as opposed to those who fight Ginsberg's push for gender equality, those who at one point literally huddle in a dark, smokey room and speak of "the death of American families and society" should Ginsberg win her case.

On the Basis of Sex Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

On the Basis of Sex was digitally photographed at a resolution of 2.8K but offers a visually pleasing presentation that has the look of film about it. The image reveals extremely crisp and firm details. Period clothes are a key visual highlight, featuring intimately revealing fabric definition in practically every scene. Facial details are effortlessly complex, too, whether considering pores, scruff, wrinkles, freckles, or other small details. Environmental clarity is terrific and image definition and stability are constant. Colors are a little period warm but bright primaries -- often bright red or blue dresses Ginsburg wears in stark contrast to the darker suits males wear -- are the highlight. Saturation and contrast appear spot-on for the duration. Black levels are excellent and skin tones appear true. The image reveals no significant source or encode flaws of note. This is a very well-rounded transfer from Universal.

On the Basis of Sex Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

On the Basis of Sex features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is appropriately robust in its musical delivery, with score prominently wide and clarity exceptional. Distinct instrumentals and rich detail define every instance. Environmental supports are terrifically immersive, with office din at the ACLU during a few scenes a standout where ringing phones, clanking typewriters, and chatting staff create a believable and bustling environment. The film is otherwise heavy on dialogue, which is delivered clearly and with natural prioritization from a stable front-center location.

On the Basis of Sex Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

On the Basis of Sex contains three featurettes. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• A Supreme Team: Making On the Basis of Sex (1080p, 6:24): Director Mimi Leder shares what drew her to the material, Justice Ginsburg's approval of the script, discovering the character, Mimi Leder's direction, Jones' and Hammer's performances, technical details of the shoot, the film's aspirations to inspire audiences, and more.
• Legacy of Justice (1080p, 3:04): Cast and crew discuss Ginsburg's place in history and shaping of it.
• Martin and Ruth: A Loving Partnership (1080p, 3:04): A quick look at "one of the great love stories of all time" and how the relationship reflects the notion of gender equality for which Ginsburg so passionately fought.

On the Basis of Sex Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was not the first woman at Harvard or the first female on the U.S. Supreme Court, but this is not a movie of "first." It's a movie about "fairness." It depicts -- lazily, at times, saved by a cornerstone performance from Jones -- a worthy struggle in fairly standard composition, following the character through predicable angles and arcs that depict a worthwhile story and do so with a sense of purpose but without a sense of soul. It's well made on the surface, it's nicely acted, and the story is well worth a movie investment, but Leder and the filmmaking team never quite make a movie that feels unique and alive. It's something audiences have seen before, just in a revised structural configuration. Regardless, Universal's Blu-ray release of On the Basis of Sex delivers high-end video and audio presentations. Three short featurettes comprise the entirety of the supplemental package. Rent it.