Photos, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
An intimate portrait of an unlikely rock star: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. With unprecedented
access, the filmmakers explore how her early legal battles changed the world for women. KIDS
FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O. comments, “This documentary, RBG , tells you about Ruth Bader
Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and not only inspires you, but motivates
you to change the world just as she did.” Ranny L., KIDS FIRST! Juror adds, “She is an
inspiration in so many ways. Shy and somewhat introverted, she never let that keep her from
pursuing a career path that was unique for woman at the time.” See their full reviews below
RBG
By Gerry O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16
In one of the most divided political times in the recent history, it is good to look back to the
previous decades and see the changes and inspiration that occurred in America. This
documentary, RBG, tells you about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme
Court and not only inspires you, but motivates you to change the world just as she did.
At its core, this documentary will inspire people. It doesn’t hide the many aspects of life’s
challenges. Throughout Ruth’s life, there are moments of romance as well as drama. On the
opposite side of the coin, there are many comedic moments, ranging from fun antidotes about
Ruth’s workaholism to Saturday Night Live skits.Starting from her childhood to the present day, RGB reveals the essence of Ruth BaderGinsburg. She is the female attorney who, not only fought for women’s rights in the United States,but also spent years on as a Supreme Court Justice fighting for women’s rights. This film truly gives real insight into the fight for women’s education, equal payment in the workplace and equaltreatment in every situation. Despite gender discrimination (which still occurs worldwide), few
know the efforts women have gone through, in order to receive the same rights and treatment
that men have. The film also shows many aspects of her personal family life as well as struggles
she has survived, such as surviving cancer
RBGBy Ranny Levy, KIDS FIRST! Adult Juror
I have been a fan of Justice Ginsburg since she first came into focus in the 70s, as an advocate
of women’s rights. This documentary about her life offers insight into her personal history and the
people around her who supported her for so many years. She is an inspiration in so many ways.
Shy and somewhat introverted, she never let that keep her from pursuing a career path that was
unique for woman at the time. She entered Harvard Law School in 1956, one of 9 women in a
class of 500 men. I resonated with her story about the Dean reportedly asking the female law
students, “How do you justify taking a spot from a qualified man?”
Justice Ginsburg proudly speaks about being born and bred in Brooklyn. In the 70s she co-
founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU. We listen to Gloria Steinem and Nina
Totenberg reveal tales of her past that make you realize how pivotal her involvement in the
women’s movement was. Filmmakers Julie Cohen and Betsy West dig into the substance of this
woman with a judicious zeal usually reserved for our deceased heroes. As a staunch feminist, her
nomination to the Supreme Court could have been way-laid had not President Clinton been
wowed by her in the first 15 minutes of her interview with him. Then, he knew that he had to put
her on the Court.The love story between Ruth and Martin Ginsburg is nothing less than awe-inspiring. I love howshe tells about her undergraduate years at Cornell where there was a four to one ratio of boys to
girls. “Every mother wanted to send their daughter there because, if you couldn’t find a husband
there, you were hopeless.” She reveals that during her freshman year, she never dated the same
boy twice. That is, until she met Marty, who was the first guy that recognized she had a brain.
When President Carter brought her to the federal bench, Marty gave up his success career as a
tax attorney in New York to move to DC to support her. He recognized Ruth for the super star that
she is and later, when she was nominated to the Supreme Court, rallied on her behalf with
endless enthusiasm. Also noted is that he was the cook in the family. Her children tell how they
had to keep her out of the kitchen.
One thing I really like about this film is that it focuses on Justice Ginsburg’s life long fight against
gender discrimination. She experienced it first hand as a fresh law school graduate that could not
get a job in any law office in New York City because “they didn’t hire women.” She has never
given up the fight, and there have been many – for women in the military who were discriminated
against for pay and benefits, for widowed men who couldn’t get survivor benefits. She chose her
plaintiffs carefully, picking a male to show that gender discrimination worked against both men
and women.Although this film may lack verve in terms of groundbreaking filmmaking, it is stunning beautiful in telling the story of a contemporary hero. 84-year-old Justice Ginsburg is an icon of our times. A
woman who has weathered extremely difficult conditions and sits on the highest court in the
country as someone dedicated to equality – for women, for people of different races and cultures
– for all of us. She is a modern heroine and, as shy and quiet as she is – carries a big stick! I
have been touting this film to all the young women and men in my universe and sending them to
it. Most walk away stunned. My 20-year-old friends never even knew who she was before going
to see the film. Many weep as they watch it. Now, that’s something. That’s important. If this film
manages to get one young person’s attention and give them the courage to stand up for what
they believe, then these filmmakers have something to be outrageously proud of. I believe they
have.
