ADAM'S RIB: MARRIAGE ON TRIAL

Author's Rating:

Pros: Great chemistry between Tracy and Hepburn, intelligent, witty screenplay.

Cons: Somewhat dated.

Author's Review
ADAM'S RIB is considered by many to be one of the best films Tracy and Hepburn made together. I'm not going to argue. Most of the films they made had them as a married couple with a loving, but tempestuous relationship. This film is no different. Their longstanding relationship offscreen only helps to add nuances to their onscreen chemistry. The idea for this film, dueling lawyers on opposite sides of a murder trial came from a real life situation, exploring what the effect the trial would have on the home life of an otherwise happy couple. As one can imagine, it isn't good. However, in this case, it sure is funny. There are some touching moments as well, when you're not sure whether their relationship will withstand the onslaught of ego. ADAM'S RIB is a battle of verbal wits where winning may cost more than either party is willing to pay.

The film opens with Doris Attinger (Holliday) attempting to murder her husband Warren (Ewell) and his mistress (Hagen). A horrible shot, she missed them both, well nicks her husband, and winds up in jail for attempted murder. Amanda Bonner (Hepburn), a defense attorney, is outraged by the double standard society has put on this wronged woman and is determined to defend her. Her husband Adam (Tracy), agrees with her, that society is most likely to blame for Mrs. Attinger's current situation, but the law is the law and he's going to make sure that people who break it are going to pay. He is, however, unhappy to be assigned to this particular case, as he does not want to fight his wife in court. They don't have much choice since Amanda is adamant about her new cause and Adam is the district attorney and can't be reassigned.

It all begins innocently enough with the two of them pretending that everything will be OK, but it soon escalates into a full scale war. Amanda doesn't think that Adam understands her convictions and Adam believes with good reason, that Amanda is twisting the law to suit her own purposes and creating a precedent for anarchy. Besides which her courtroom antics have belittled not only him, but the system at large. By the end of the trial, there are no more waves and kisses blown under the table. In fact, Adam can't even stand to be in the same room with his wife. He can't believe he could be married to someone with such an utter disregard for the law. Amanda tries to get him to see her point of view, but it's no use. Her winning the case is the nail in the coffin. They eventually reconcile, but only after a wild evening where Adam proves to Amanda that she was completely wrong, that no matter what the problems are with society the law applies to everyone, fairly or unfairly. They end their fighting like all happily married couples do...in bed enjoying the differences between men and women.

ADAM'S RIB tries to take the high road and give it's marital comedy a little more bite and depth, but it doesn't quite succeed on that level. Maybe because women have more equality now than they did 50 years ago so the argument of the double standard just doesn't have the same righteous ring. Sure men still get away with murder when it comes to sexual matters and I doubt that will ever change, but it still doesn't give a person the right to try to kill someone, no matter what sex they are. Amanda's argument that if Doris was a man and did the same thing she would have gotten a slap on the wrist is ridiculous. To begin with, she probably would've been a better shot and then would have faced murder charges. Attempted murder is attempted murder, it doesn't really matter what the motives are or how justified.

Of course, the whole trial is meant to provide grist for the mill of Amanda and Adam's arguments and for that purpose it is right on the money. This is a verbal battle of wits that has the passion and sparks flying. Men and woman are very different, but that's doesn't mean they still can't be equals. They take the long way around, but Adam and Amanda finally realize this point. Hepburn is wonderful when she's all fired up and she's got a role here with small real teeth to it. It's amazing how sexy she makes Tracy. He does a fine job as well, as the put upon husband who loves his intelligent, passionate, career-minded wife, but doesn't want her to be a competitor. Judy Holliday and Tom Ewell make their first big supporting debuts and add delicious bits of comedy to this piece. I found David Wayne's performance as the next door neighbor smitten with Amanda to be more annoying than funny.

Overall, ADAM'S RIB is a clever, funny, well-written and acted piece of cinema. If you are unfamiliar with the oncreen pairing of Tracy and Hepburn you're definitely missing one of cinema's great romantic comedy duos. You have your choice of nine films to watch their magic together, but I think ADAM'S RIB and WOMAN OF THE YEAR are two of their best. They are comedies with intelligence, passion and heart, which is why they are still popular today.