RBG (2018)

The exceptional life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon.

Directors:

Julie Cohen, Betsy West

Stars:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ann Kittner, Harryette Helsel

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 49 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg	...	Self
Ann Kittner	...	Self - Childhood Friend
Harryette Helsel	...	Self - Childhood Friend
Stephen Wiesenfeld	...	Self - Plaintiff
Bill Clinton	...	Self - 42nd U.S. President (as President Bill Clinton)
John Howard Lawson	...	Self - Screenwriter (archive footage)
Brenda Feigen	...	Self - Harvard Law School Graduate
Sharron Frontiero	...	Self - Plaintiff (as Sharron Frontino Cohen)
James Steven Ginsburg	...	Self - Son (as James Ginsburg)
Jane C. Ginsburg	...	Self - Daughter (as Jane Ginsburg)
Lisa Beattie Frelinghuysen	...	Self - Former Clerk
Mary Hartnett	...	Self - Biographer
Orrin Hatch	...	Self - US Senator - R Utah (as Senator Orrin Hatch)
Bryant Johnson	...	Self - Firtness Trainer
Aryeh Neier	...	Self - Former Director - American Civil LIberties Union

Storyline

At the age of 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior's rise to the nation's highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans - until now. RBG is a revelatory documentary exploring Ginsburg's exceptional life and career from Betsy West and Julie Cohen, and co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films.

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Plot Keywords:

opera lover | judge | u.s. supreme court | litigation | gender equality | 

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Taglines:

Hero. Icon. Dissenter.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West had both previously worked on projects involving Ginsburg, and in 2015 decided to make a documentary focusing solely on her. In 2016, the duo followed Ginsburg around to various meetings and speeches, including in Chicago and Washington, D.C., for a total of 20 hours, and conducted the face-to-face interview in 2017.

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Quotes

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: When I am at an opera, I get totally carried away. I don't think about the case that's coming up next week, or the brief that I'm in the middle.of. I'm overwhelmed by the beauty of the music, the drama, and the sound of human voice. It's like an electric current going through me. Justice and mercy, they're all in opera. Very grand emotions.

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits include: "Martin Ginsburg Award for Supportive Husbanding Paul Barrett Oren Jacoby Jorge Aguirre"

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Mariska Hargitay/Lizzy Caplan/Sam Fender/Terence Higgins (2019)

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Soundtracks

The Barber of Seville Overture
Performed by Münchner Symphoniker (as Munich Symphony Orchestra) & Alfred Scholtz
Written by Gioachino Rossini
KPM Music Limited

User Reviews

A documentary you didn't know you need to see

I love watching a film (especially a documentary) I didn't know I needed to see! Directors/documentarians Betsy West ("The Lavender Scare" 2017) and Julie Cohen ("American Veteran" 2017) have provided anyone remotely interested in the life and times of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a look into the world of this vibrant, yet quiet warrior who lead the fight for gender equality, and to this day continues to have an effect on the lives of many with her Supreme Court decisions and "notorious" dissenting opinions. Known to her followers as "Notorious RBG," (I've got to get one of these t-shirts!), this doc introduces us to her early years, where she was one of only a few women attending the all male Cornel University, and Harvard Law school, along with introducing us to Martin Ginsberg, an accomplished lawyer himself, who loved her for her brain, at time when women were not supposed to be outspoken, but only seen. Through one-on-one interviews and footage of her various speaking engagements, touching tributes by Martin and her children, interactions with her granddaughter and more, the audience is given a worthy, historical and entertaining glimpse into the world of this amazing women. At 84 years young, and an avid workout enthusiast, one can only hope we continue to see here effects on the US Supreme Court for years to come. You may not know you need to see this film, but you'll be pleasantly surprised when you do.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian German French

Release Date:

26 July 2018 (Australia)

Also Known As:

RBG

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$578,470, 6 May 2018

Gross USA:

$14,017,361

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,441,292

Company Credits

Production Co:

CNN Films, Storyville Films, Better Than Fiction Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1