RBG

US, 2017, 98 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Julie Cowan, Betsy West.

Many Americans would know what the initials RBG stand for. This documentary film was an opportunity for non-Americans to be introduced to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, member of the Supreme Court of the US since 1993.

She is quite the personality. On the one hand, she is somewhat shy and retiring, not blessed with a great sense of humour – but marrying Martin Ginsberg, a tax lawyer with quite a sense of humour, having two children, relishing grandchildren – but a lawyer of superior standing and talent. She is very small in stature, especially seen in photos with the other Justices, predominantly male, powerful beyond her stature.

Her presence on the Supreme Court, a woman, more liberal than conservative, frequently dissenting from majority opinions, has been significant for a quarter of a century. At the time of the making of this documentary, 2017, she was aged 84. And her reputation has led to a nickname, The Notorious RBG.

Most audiences for this film will be interested in her contribution to American legislation, the interpretation of legislation, changes in legislation. However, they will also learn some biographical information about the Justice. From Brooklyn, her father migrated from Ukraine, she began college studies in law in the early 1950s, the time of Senator McCarthy? and other targeting of communists. In the 1960s and 70s, she established herself as a champion of equal rights (a significant case was her promoting a widower who was bringing up his children and was not granted financial support by the government because he was not a woman). In her championing of equal rights, there was a great deal to contribute to the rights of women. She had strong human rights and legislative views on abortion choice.

A lot of the film consists of talking heads, as might be expected, supporters from both left and right, especially her personal friendship, and opera-going, with strongly conservative judge, Scalia.

But, there are many sequences of Ruth Ginsberg speeches. Central to the film is her speech before the Senate enquiry into her nomination (Edward Kennedy being seen on the panel), and later comment by Bill Clinton about his meeting her and his decision to nominate her. There is also an address to students at Fordham and/or high school in more recent years. Younger students seem particularly keen to meet her and listen to her. (There are some sequences of spoofs about her manner and behaviour from Saturday Night Live and the Justice laughing and enjoying them.)

Ruth Bader Ginsberg emerges as a very hard-working lawyer and judge, devoted to her husband of over 50 years, grief at his death from cancer, her own battles with cancer, her integrity as a judge – who publicly complained in 2016 about Donald Trump (not as if he didn’t attack personalities in his speeches and tweets). She apologised acknowledging that this was inappropriate comment from a judge.

The documentary is particularly American, aimed at an American audience, but also of interest for audiences outside the United States.

There was a further documentary: Ruth - in her own words.It has some background, especially her marriage to Marty Ginsberg, but interesting excerpts from official speeches as well as meeting with groups.

In 2019, Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer portray Ruth and Marty in the feature film, On the Basis of Sex.