Saturday, January 12, 2008

ADAM'S RIB



ADAM'S RIB - 1949

RATED - NR but probably G

RATINGS - 44 Amazon (4.5/5), 5,602 IMBD (7.6/10), 97,549 Netflix (4.0/5)

STARRING - Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy

AWARDS - 1 Academy Award nomination, AFI Top 100 Laughs.

THEMES - Male/Female roles, equality, justice.

STORY - 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! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 01/12/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMBD, TRAILER

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