Review of Adam's Rib (1949) by Tim M — 11 Aug 2009

Although there were plenty of great single movie pairings, there only ever really was one classic Hollywood couple: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Forget the classic part; they're probably the only real one, period. Adam's Rib is a movie that shows why. Watching the two legends onscreen is like spying through the window; you'll plenty of jabs, bickering, jealousy... and romance.

Of course, Tracy and Hepburn were also lovers in real life. But they just happened to be two of the best actors of their era. I dig James Stewart, Cary Grant, and Clark Gable... but it's fairly obvious to me that Tracy was the best actor of them all (Henry Fonda might be close). And there really isn't much to say about Katherine Hepburn... no one remembers Bergman, Garbo, or even Bette Davis's performances the same way they remember Kat's. That's Tracy and Hepburn as individuals; put them in the melting pot, and you're in for a cinematic treat with interactions rivaling that of any real-life couple. The home movie part managed to make me tear up since I found it so moving and realistic. It probably had even more weight considering these two actors have since passed on, Tracy since 1967, nearly 40 years before Hepburn. To live that long after someone you've loved is something I can't imagine. But alas, at least we have movies like Adam's Rib. What better way to showcase the dynamic duo's talents than by pitting them in a courtroom -- on opposite sides? Having a third cog as talented as Judy Holliday is only icing on the cake of law; she was wonderful as the jittery, well-meaning defendant.

This is the first Tracy-Hepburn movie that I've seen so far. I'm certain it won't be the last.

"And after you shot your husband, how did you feel?".

"Hungry!".