In Adam's Rib (1945) the scorned wife Doris Attinger (Judy Holiday) is put on trial for attempted murder. This situation gives her barrister Amanda Bonna (Katherine Hepburn) an opportunity to prove a point for the feminist cause. As such she places feminism in the dock. Here 'femisim' becomes the issue rather than 'attempted murder'.
Central to Amanda's point is the idea that a person broke into a family home and broke it up. This allegation puts the 'other woman' at the centre of blame. It ergo excuses the husband and suggests he is not responsible for his own actions of infidelity and cruelty. This is quite ironic and contradicts, Amanda's whole point. which ultimately undermines her cause.
Judy Holiday plays her character Doris Attinger as a dimwit, rather than what was necessary to the role. What was necessary for the role was a nervous woman on trial, not a dimwit. But Holiday is surely using the part for her own agenda, which is to create a persona that got her the top role on Born Yesterdat (1950). From here on in Holiday typecasts herself! Director Geoge Cuckor should have rectified this situation and took control. No wonder he was popular with his actors if he permitted them to act as they pleased! This is not to detract from Cuckor's brilliance as a director, rather a minor quibble! All of the rest of the cast do sublime jobs, especially Tracey as Adam Bonner and David Wayne as Kip Lurie.
A film that puts the feminist cause on trial to prove a point for womankind!
Central to Amanda's point is the idea that a person broke into a family home and broke it up. This allegation puts the 'other woman' at the centre of blame. It ergo excuses the husband and suggests he is not responsible for his own actions of infidelity and cruelty. This is quite ironic and contradicts, Amanda's whole point. which ultimately undermines her cause.
Judy Holiday plays her character Doris Attinger as a dimwit, rather than what was necessary to the role. What was necessary for the role was a nervous woman on trial, not a dimwit. But Holiday is surely using the part for her own agenda, which is to create a persona that got her the top role on Born Yesterdat (1950). From here on in Holiday typecasts herself! Director Geoge Cuckor should have rectified this situation and took control. No wonder he was popular with his actors if he permitted them to act as they pleased! This is not to detract from Cuckor's brilliance as a director, rather a minor quibble! All of the rest of the cast do sublime jobs, especially Tracey as Adam Bonner and David Wayne as Kip Lurie.
A film that puts the feminist cause on trial to prove a point for womankind!