Adam's Rib (1949)

Director: George Cukor
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Holliday

Synopsis:
The district attorney and his wife find themselves on opposite sides of an attempted murder case, bringing the battle of the sexes into the courtroom and into their home as well.

Impressions:
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn are legendary screen couple and that makes a big difference with this movie. On the one hand, it's an interesting look at postwar gender politics. On the other, there are a lot of frustrating developments both in the plot and the characterization which are bound to rub you the wrong way no where you stand on the issues that get brought up. Double standards cut cruelly on both sides of the divide and poorly crafted arguments don't leave you with much satisfaction. I could probably go on a length discussion of what all is wrong here, but I won't take up too much of your time. If you're a fan of Tracy and Hepburn and/or the time capsule view of the battle of the sexes intrigues you, you may want to give it a watch. If you're the sort whose blood pressure rises easily on this sort of subject, you'd be better off sitting this one out.

Rating:
50/50