RBG

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 4, 2018

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 45 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

BHBarryMay 20, 2018

“RBG” is a documentary about the career and achievements of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The film follows Justice Ginsburg’s life from her early days growing up in Brooklyn to her college, law school and professional accomplishments which“RBG” is a documentary about the career and achievements of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The film follows Justice Ginsburg’s life from her early days growing up in Brooklyn to her college, law school and professional accomplishments which ultimately found her sitting as an Associate Justice on the highest court in the land. However, the film is not just the story of a woman’s love for the law, it is also a love story of a husband and wife whose mutual caring and respect for each other allowed this physically small but large in stature lady to become an icon and beacon for all who believe in equality and fairness under the laws of our land. Attending law school and seeking a job afterward was not easy for any of us in the late 1950’s. Add to that the special difficulties and challenges Justice Ginsburg met while at the same time being a wife, mother and “lady lawyer” encountering the “no women allowed” policies in most law firms in the land. Despite all of these obstacles, this unique and marvelous person persevered and succeeded. I give this film a 10 rating with kudos to the documentarians for making and telling this inspiring story of tenacity and dedication. As one law student and admirer of the Justice wisely said after reviewing her decisions and career: “You can’t spell the word truth without… RUTH”.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

TVJerryMay 21, 2018

This film chronicles the achievements of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It traces her upbringing, her impressive law career, her lifelong determination to fight for women's equal rights and her current pop culture status. TheThis film chronicles the achievements of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It traces her upbringing, her impressive law career, her lifelong determination to fight for women's equal rights and her current pop culture status. The filmmakers take a traditional approach to documentary storytelling: a linear structure told thru numerous interviews and lots of archival photos and video. But that's OK. People coming to see this are probably looking to learn more about this extraordinary character and appreciate her accomplishments. It's not about innovative cinema, but about this ground-breaking woman. In that case (pun intended) it's a fascinating story.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

GinaKMay 22, 2018

RBG is an interesting documentary about the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Its tone is objective, but I’d call it quietly worshipful since I can’t remember a negative word in it. On the other hand, the life story of RGB was toldRBG is an interesting documentary about the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Its tone is objective, but I’d call it quietly worshipful since I can’t remember a negative word in it. On the other hand, the life story of RGB was told very well and at a good pace, with a lot of personal details. I’ve certainly seen far more dramatic and intense documentaries from Errol Morris, Michael Moore, and Werner Herzog, and sadly the most dramatic things in this documentary were the opera performances that RBG has appeared in. Still this documentary is worth seeing.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

Brent_MarchantMay 8, 2018

Despite a slight tendency to gush about its subject, this informative, briskly paced documentary presents an in-depth look at the public and private life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Through interviews with Ginsburg,Despite a slight tendency to gush about its subject, this informative, briskly paced documentary presents an in-depth look at the public and private life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Through interviews with Ginsburg, life-long friends, family members, peers and the politicians who helped shape her career, as well as a variety of archive footage and audio recordings, the film presents a balanced package of information that both enlightens and entertains. What's most impressive, though, is the detailed chronicling of the influential (though not-often widely recognized) role that RBG played in the women's movement, particularly in the area of legally securing equal rights through a series of landmark Supreme Court rulings that she litigated before joining the bench. For those who are unfamiliar with the accomplishments of this remarkable woman, this is must-see viewing.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

FelicityFenwickAug 16, 2018

I was a little bored by this one, sadly. It's admirable that she's doing what she's doing at 85, but a great film her story does not make.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

JLuis_001Aug 17, 2018

Focused on one side obviously and those who are against her and or want her to retire will not even give it the opportunity.

Totally valid.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

DufreshestJul 1, 2018

RBG: The Notorious Dissenter

Cinematography: 8.131/10 The flow is good and simple for a documentary-interview style. Costume Design: 8.491/10 This is a tough one. Did Ruth Bader Ginsberg dress herself? Shout out to her jabots: that's aRBG: The Notorious Dissenter

Cinematography: 8.131/10 The flow is good and simple for a documentary-interview style.

Costume Design: 8.491/10 This is a tough one. Did Ruth Bader Ginsberg dress herself? Shout out to her jabots: that's a strong fashion statement in her profession.

Film Editing: 8.131/10 It's fine; getting from point A to B in a simple manner works well for the documentary-interview form here.

Make-up and Hair-styling: 8.491/10 This is another tough one. I feel as though a person that really-really knows make up will notice any fine-subtle details concerning any facial make-up during her interview. Ruth Bader Ginsberg seems to always have a similar glow about her even while working out. Does her hair-style really change much either?

Sound Editing: 8.931/10 The voice overs are done well and ease transitioning from scene-to-scene. Plus, all the information in the presentation is set to keep the audience awake and the sounds really help (though the dude next to me does experience a spell of sleep).

Visual Effects: - /10 I'm going not applicable here.

Story: 9.212/10 RBG has a really strong story all of which flows in connection with her interview. Shout out to Martin D. Ginsburg: the film memorializes the relationship between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Martin D. Ginsburg in a way that truly honors his memory in accordance with her successes. He is a reason the film is so lively and interesting.

Acting: 9.711/10 Most of the time, acting like a professional is most present and an important lesson of the film. Lessons of being honest and real are foremost as well.

Personal: It's really interesting to see Ruth Bader Ginsburg living her life. Watching her perform in an opera is a joyful-surprising moment. Can you imagine her elation? Her exemplification of balance and commitment throughout her life is tremendously admirable. The notion of knowing and being thyself as well as experiencing with thyself is ever present throughout RBG.

Overall: 8.728/10

-K.D.

If you're into Poetry and other bits of creativity, check out my Instagram: @Dufreshest.

P.S. This piece has nothing to do with my take on politics. Let's not go there. This is about film.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

All this user's reviews

Slovenly_MuseAug 23, 2018

If you were hoping for a gritty, serious, warts-and-all documentary about a complex political figure, too bad! RBG is an uplifting, spirited, and affectionate look at the life and accomplishments of a remarkable woman, an unwavering championIf you were hoping for a gritty, serious, warts-and-all documentary about a complex political figure, too bad! RBG is an uplifting, spirited, and affectionate look at the life and accomplishments of a remarkable woman, an unwavering champion for equality, and an inspiration to the next generation of legal minds!… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

All this user's reviews

ethankennerlyApr 10, 2021

Before watching this, I did not who Ruth Bader Ginsburg was. After watching this, Justice Ginsberg became my hero. She worked hard and championed a woman's opportunity to excel.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

amheretojudgeJan 26, 2019

Far From Home And Close To Relative.

RBG West And Cohen's documentary leaves you at a perplexing state, definitely inspired and moved by it, but often questioning. Is it well crafted? Yes. Was there room for improvement? Way too much. And IFar From Home And Close To Relative.

RBG

West And Cohen's documentary leaves you at a perplexing state, definitely inspired and moved by it, but often questioning. Is it well crafted? Yes. Was there room for improvement? Way too much. And I presume, that is what kept me itching throughout this documentary. It sincerely respects the material is has and it never takes it for granted and neither it grows provocative nor manipulative. What it does fail to do so, is create an impact on its viewers, the stakes are never communicated, the scrutiny never traveled thoroughly.

The makers has a different vision altogether on narration, it was dry and felt mostly like news, there was no build up, no romance to amp up the viewers or at least root for them. The questions asked in interviews too aren't expressive enough to open up the guests or the host itself. The documentary isn't subtle too, it has good intentions on projecting the trajectory with one tactic or habit that would beam the entire path, but it isn't smoothly placed in narration, it feels like a detour, a break that neither the host wanted nor the viewers.

The humor aspect is poured in to the host herself, and whenever she becomes the new version of herself, trying to fit in on a new world, the laughs come easily, from SNL clips to her equation with her granddaughter. Another smart idea was to project all the court appearance without any clips and just write down all the highlights of the debate on screen. The video clips aren't sufficient, they should have either went for more or edited accordingly. RBG is the perfect alarm clock, it shakes you up with eye popping revelations and struggles that the protagonist went through, but then it is just an alarm clock, it cannot be much liked.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews