Review of Adam's Rib

What a pleasure it is to observe supreme artists doing what they're doing best, when they're in top shape! That's exactly what you get while watching _Adam's Rib_ -- a vehicle written specifically for the talents of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (gloriously attractive, and showing off her slender waist, at 42 years of age) by their personal friends, no less fabulous screenwriters Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin. Add the light touch of master director George Cukor; add four delightfully competent performances by the four secondary cast members Judy Holliday (in her first big film role), Tom Ewell (hilarious and giving you a glimpse of what would come later in _The Seven Year Itch_), Jean Hagen (of _Singin' in the Rain_ fame) and David Wayne -- and what could possibly go wrong? Nothing. The script is extremely sophisticated -- it's truly an accomplishment when an actor can get the audience to laugh by uttering a single meaningful, forceful syllable in between extended periods of silence: "Once!", like Spencer Tracy does during one of his quarrels with Hepburn. Like all great comedies, _Adam's Rib_ is great in that it is not really a pure comedy; when you see Tracy flaring in anger against Hepburn, and vice versa, you can see that the characters' emotions and life convictions, behind the anger, are as real as in any dramatic film. Similarly, Judy Holliday gives a finely tuned performance as the abused wife; she is both funny to look at and pitiable at the same time. And, the final family reunion scene can warm the viewers' hearts like no pure comedy could if its only intention were just to go straight for the laughs. Yes, the battle of sexes may appear dated in 2012 when viewed in its late 1940s variety -- but the battle of sexes is ongoing as we speak, and so the movie still has a lot to say today. Very nice black-and-white cinematography, too, particularly in the New York street scenes; a beautifully captured period piece! _Adam's Rib_ is perhaps not the very pinnacle of artistic achievement, but it's definitely a prime exhibit of the Art of Comedy.