Adam's Rib
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Movie Reviews of Adam's Rib
Movie Review: A classic that succeeds on many, many levels
Summary: 5 Stars
Of all the films that Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy made together, this is my favorite. The two are absolutely brilliant as a husband and wife who are both lawyers on opposite sides of a case having to do with a woman defending her honor by shooting her husband when she finds him cheating on her. As great as the two leads are, however, this film is so rich and succeeds on so many levels that it would have been a great success even with two far less gifted performers. The film also features what was essentially the debut of three well known performers: Jean Hagen (who would shine only three years later in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN), Tom Ewell, and the absolutely magnificent Judy Holiday, arguably the greatest dumb blondes in the history of Hollywood (despite being by all accounts one of the most intellectually brilliant performers ever, once having scored over 170 on an IQ test). Holiday is especially great in the film, absolutely stealing every scene in which she appears. Her scene in the witness chair is my favorite scene in the film. David Wayne fills out a remarkable cast as Hepburn and Tracy's next door neighbor, a songwriter who pens the song "Farewell, Amanda" for Hepburn, who plays Amanda Bonner (Tracy is Adam Bonner, hence the title of the film). His constant bantering enlivens nearly every scene in which he appears.George Cukor does his usual competent job directing, but the heart of the film, in addition to the acting, is the outstanding script by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin. The movie is stuffed with jokes, gags, emotional tension, and serious issues in a manner that is rarely successful. One of my few complaints with the film is the rather absurd handling of questions of women's equality, naively basing it on the ability of a woman to do anything a man can do, which is, of course, absurd in a variety of situations. For instance, they bring a Strong Woman into the court room, to demonstrate that a woman can be as strong as a man, though it is impossible to discern what legal point that is supposed to make, and leads to a moment of slapstick that is below the quality of the rest of the film. The silliness of this scene seems to undercut the seriousness of the issue of women's issues in the rest of the film. Also, one can see the wires used to make it appear the woman is lifting him over her head, making it seem even sillier.
This is one of those movies that improves upon reviewing, partly because a first viewing isn't sufficient to unveil all the excellences contained within it. It remains one of my favorite films by all of the principles involved.
Movie Review: SO.MUCH.FUN.
Summary: 5 Stars
One of those films that I just totally adored from start to finish, `Adam's Rib' is a fantastic romantic comedy that thrives on its stellar cast and smart scripting. Even when the film starts to fray towards the end (this may be a personal opinion, but I found the last few minutes to be rather off-putting and unnecessary), it never truly leaves the audience.
The film is exciting and fun and just all around pure entertainment!
Hepburn and Tracy (I love Spencer Tracy SOOOOO much) play Adam and Amanda Bonner, husband and wife lawyers who wind up on opposite ends of a court room when jilted wife Doris Attinger shoots her philandering husband and his lover (she doesn't actually wound the lover). Adam is handed the prosecution of the case, but his wife (who firmly believes that this is her chance to rally the equality of women) takes the defense and together they turn the courtroom (and their marriage) on its head.
The acting across the board is phenomenal. Hepburn and Tracy worked a lot with one another, and it is obvious why. They really have such undeniable chemistry, and here they play off one another so beautifully. Hepburn has the more triumphant and stirring moments, but Tracy, for me, is the standout of the two. He really understands the quieter moments and plays them to perfection. Even in the films final frames, where I see the script starting to lose steam, he manages to make his character so likable and memorable that you can't help but forgive the scene.
But, and I mean this in a BIG way, the film's grandest performance comes from the GLORIOUS Judy Holliday. What I love so much about this performance is that it feels so modern in its approach. I mean, there is no doubt in my mind that that very performance can be seen in a film today, and that is saying a lot since the whole style and craft of acting has changed a lot since the 40's. It lacks the overtly theatrical stylings of the day and instead layers the character with a sharp sense of pure naturalism.
Holliday is flawless!
So, the film is really a rich and entertaining ride. With the ethics of law, love and equality all thrown on the cutting board, `Adam's Rib' really covers a lot of ground. Instead of coming across as hurried and stuffed though, the film covers that ground very nicely. Sure, it doesn't really come together on all areas, but the bell was sounded and the players all came to the rescue, delivering something that is the epitome of entertainment.
Movie Review: In a word, delightful
Summary: 5 Stars
I am, unfortunately, not as well versed in Spenser Tracy as I am in Katherine Hepburn, but I'm guessing I can say with some conviction that these roles were perfect for the two of them. What I can say with full knowledge is that Katherine Hepburn was perfect for this role, playing the same sort of independent woman she herself tended to be from time to time.
This is a richly written movie about a married couple, Adam and Amanda, who are both lawyers and who are both working on the same case... opposing each other. A woman shot at her uncaring, unsympathetic husband. Adam claims that it's necessary to bring her to the attention of the law. Amanda claims that she won't be given fair treatment as a woman. A battle of the sexes ensues.
The best part of this movie is showing this rather adoring and loving couple as they go through the day to day stresses of their jobs and yet try to maintain a home life at the same time. However, that's just the first element, as of course the stresses of facing each other has to be taken into account. Indeed it's hard to say quite for sure where the movie's going to go, but once it's ended it seems like it couldn't have been presented in any other way.
George Cukor does a brillaint job with directing it. I particularly like how he often sets the camera in a room and lets the characters weave in and out of the area in a way that evenly presents both the disconnect and the miscommunication of the couple from both perspectives. This movie is brilliant in that it is capable of maintaining two (or more) points of view entirely at the same time.
All in all, a very good movie, one of those that makes one nostalgic for the warmth and compassion often felt in older movies. Considering Tracy and Hepburn's relationship, it's interesting to think how this movie might have affected (or reflected) the conversations they might have had.
--PolarisDiB
Movie Review: A comedy that still sparkles with energy and wit...
Summary: 5 Stars
Probably the best of the Tracy-Hepburn movies, Adam's Rib is very funny and enjoyable. Excellently written, well directed by George Cukor, and (most of all) featuring great chemistry between Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, this is the ultimate "battle of the sexes" movie and a must-see. Basically, Adam's Rib starts out with a wife who shoots at her husband (Judy Holliday, who does an excellent job with her important, if small, role) after finding him with another woman. At the trial, Holliday is represented by Amanda Bonner (Katherine Hepburn) who just happens to be opposed by her own husband (Spencer Tracy) who is the prosecuting attorney. The movie creatively uses the premise of the trial as a springboard for witty, funny conversations between the Bonners' about equality and the double standard (if Holliday had been a man, would she be judged so harshly).
Anyhow, Adam's Rib is a fantastic film which discusses many relevant issues and is, contrary to what you might think, really quite modern in its outlook. There may be some points in the film that reflect its age but, overall, the main issue - the ever ongoing battle of the sexes - is still as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.
Furthermore, the movie is so witty and well done that it would be a joy to watch even if the content was clearly irrelevant now. It features several scenes that are especially noteworthy - for instance, the scene in which Hepburn humiliates Tracy in court and the resulting scene where Tracy scares Hepburn with the licorice gun. So, overall, this film still sparkles with wit and with the chemistry between its stars...highly recommended!
Movie Review: I DON'T WANT A COMPETITOR, I WANT A WIFE!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The story begins with Doris Attinger (Judy Holliday) waiting outside her husband's (Warren Attinger - Tom Ewell) office to follow him when he leaves to what she believes will be a romantic tryst. We get an idea of her motive when she drops her purse and a small revolver spills out. Her hunch is right, and after reading the directions how to use the weapon, she closes her eyes and starts shooting, wounding but not killing, her husband. The story shifts to a stylish apartment building where a servant is bringing breakfast to the bedroom of Adam (Tracy) and Amanda (Hepburn) Bonner. They scan the lead stories as they eat and prepare for work, noting the attempted murder story. Adam arrives at his office (Assistant District Attorney) and discovers he has been assigned to the case which he assumes will be a 'slam dunk'. He calls to tell Amanda, an attorney in private practice, the news and rub it in how he will put this one away quickly. Amanda hangs up on him, determined to defend this woman, believing women are treated differently than men and that this woman was justified in her actions. The movie shifts to the courtroom where the action and the fun begins. Each night the trial carries over into their personal life. A little dated now, it was somewhat shocking in 1949 that a woman could, heaven forbid, compete in the 'men's domain'. Where are there inequities today that need to be corrected? The chemistry between Tracy & Hepburn is at its best and makes for a very funny, romantic comedy that deserves its place in AFI' Top 100 Laughs. Enjoy! WWW.LUSREVIEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM