RBG: Notorious For Good Reason
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is an inspiration. The documentary about the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, RBG, beautifully weaves together her career and personal life to tell the story of not only a successful judge, but the woman behind the gavel. In today's culture, it's easy to simply get wrapped up in the hype around the "Notorious RBG" without truly understanding all she has done for women in the law. This film highlights how and why she was and continues to be a trailblazer for gender equality. What is most surprising is how reserved and quiet Ginsburg is in real life-a fact that anyone who knows her attests to in the film. To see that side of her one minute and to then hear her fiery dissents in the other paints an amazing picture of a complex and brilliant woman. Interviews with Ginsburg, her family and former colleagues all lend themselves to the telling of this story and give it heart. There are also wonderful light moments highlighting her love of opera that give you a glimpse of who Ginsburg is as a person and not just a lawyer.
The strongest part of the doc is how it seamlessly shifts focus to and from her personal life and the legal cases that she made her mark with in the 1970s. The cases highlighted are fascinating- it is hard to imagine the laws that Ginsburg was fighting against ever even existed. They become mini stories within the larger narrative, adding depth to the film. It is also remarkable to simply listen to her powerful words. We hear audio recordings of her opening statements before the supreme court when she was a lawyer, as well as her dissensions when she is later a Justice, and without any visuals her words take on greater and more powerful meaning. In a time when it can seem like the loudest voice in the room always prevails, it is refreshing and inspiring to see how Justice Ginsburg made her mark on the law, and our country, with her quiet strength and brilliant mind.