Film: Adam's Rib

Director: George Cukor
Genre: Comedy
Source: USA (1949)
Rating: Unrated (probably PG)
Location/Format: TCM
Grade: A

What a delightful movie. It's easy to see both the spark and the fire between Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as married lawyers who take the opposite sides of a case. The trial and their marriage become the proving ground in a battle of the sexes that is a little half baked but mostly entertaining. Was this progressive in 1949? Standard? I'm not sure. There are some nice reversals of gender expectations (such as Adam's schemes to reconcile in the last 20 minutes of the film) and some silliness that has nothing to do with anything (circus strong lady, why are you here again?) but the overall message of equality between the sexes is explored pretty well in both public and private spheres. I'm not sure how radical the film's message is, but that's not even the point.

Because what I am sure of is that Hepburn and Tracy are just fun to watch. Their obvious affection for each other and their playful banter is really electric here, and though I haven't seen them in other movies besides Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, it's easy to see why they would be in more and more movies together. It's the little throwaway lines of dialogue and the throwaway gestures that make the movie work--a wink under the table, a playful kiss in the shadows, the cute nicknames they have for each other (Pinky: "a -y for him, -ie for me") that are so likable. You can't help but fall for their relationship, and the crackerjack dialogue and courtroom shenanigans are all secondary to their pleasure in being together and our pleasure in watching them together. After watching a few Thin Man movies, the two leads here form a nice contrast. They really are equally matched, they don't look down at each other--even when they're exasperated with one another--and they genuinely like being together. I like the Thin Man films quite a bit, but at times it's hard not to feel like William Powell kind of talks down to Myrna Loy. You don't get that here at all.

Not everything works here--David Wayne has a thankless job playing the world's most obnoxious neighbor--but it doesn't really matter, nor does the outcome of the trial (though I have to admit the unexpected cross-dressing fantasy during the closing arguments surprised me). What matters is that Spencer and Tracy are in fine form here--a little bit sexy, a little bit silly, and a whole lot likable. With those two at their best, how can the film help but be enjoyable?

Alternate Film Title: "Yep, I Can Totally See the Wires"