Adam’s Rib is the sixth of nine films staring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy and many critics consider it their best film. In fact, The American Film Institute (AFI) considers it the seventh best romantic comedy ever made. AFI also listed it as the 22nd funniest film of all time. At the time of it’s release MGM considered it the funniest film they made in 10 years.
From a film historians point of view this is a wonderful film. While this particular film did not win any Oscars the talent involved in the making of the film results in somewhere around 35 Oscar nominations in various other pictures.
With all this being said romantic comedies are a difficult genre to tackle because there is so much riding on the chemistry of the two main characters. A great script means nothing if the actors cannot sell it. In this respect Adam’s Rib is a fantastic example of near perfect filmmaking within this difficult genre. The chemistry between Hepburn and Tracy is what makes this film worth watching.
The only aspects of the film that I struggled with were found in the writing. I imagine that the conflict between Hepburn and Tracy’s characters would not be played out on the courtroom floor. It seems like an absolute conflict of interest. Many of the reviews note that the story was taken from a real event where the ending is much more tragic.
Yet all in all this is a film worth watching, especially if you have never seen a Hepburn/Tracy film.
Things to Watch For As You View Adam's Rib:
- Consider the chemistry between Hepburn and Tracy in this film. How does it help with the over all storytelling?
- This film was one of the first roles for Judy Holiday, Tom Ewell, David Wayne and Jean Hagen. Each of these actors went on to have big careers in Hollywood. How do you think this film helped them with that? Did this film use minor roles well?
- Is the “battle of the sexes” aspect of this film believable? Does it make a great story or does it take away from it?
- With all of the high remarks made from the critics about this film where would you rank it?
Links:
No comments:
Post a Comment