Review of Adam's Rib (1949) by Asher K — 18 Aug 2013

A husband and wife face off in an attempted murder trial that becomes a battle of the sexes.

Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy deliver fine performances in this interesting but problematic film. The very simple facts of the case are that the accused is guilty. That's not a spoiler; that's the first scene. But Amanda's defense is that if a man is allowed to shoot his wife's lover, then a woman is allowed to shoot her husband's lover. This begs the question: is a man allowed to shoot his wife's lover? I didn't know that was an acceptable thing. Good to know. The fact that the film brings up common cultural double standards that persist is what makes the film interesting, and Tracy, I'm beginning to realize, made his career by taking roles that require his natural dignity. In the person of anyone else, Adam would seem weak and uninteresting, but Tracy's demeanor makes it difficult for any of his characters to be wholly emasculated. I'm also starting to like Judy Holliday; she plays ditzy roles that I would normally never be compelled by, but for some reason I find myself charmed.

Overall, I liked the film, but it's not without its problems.