On the Basis of Sex, the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I have to admit I did not know who Ruth Ginsburg was until many of my American friends posted about her death last month, naming her their greatest role model and grieving the loss of one of the greatest advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. I must also admit I didn’t know the movie “on the basis of sex” was a biopic about her life when I started watching it on Netflix. I’d say a greater power wanted me to know about Ruth Ginsburg and I am thankful for its obstination 😅

Once I recognized it, I of course made some research on her online. But going back to the movie, it just blew my mind. Felicity Jones balances with perfection the complexity of the emotions Ruth lives through. From love and faith to anger and frustration. The story itself is extremely compelling. I rarely get emotional but my eyes got wet several times and I felt deeply connected to the character of Ruth, but also of her husband and daughter.

I particularly loved the team she forms with her husband. She is there for him when he needs it most, he is there for her equally, unconditionally. Their couple proves that if there is a great woman behind every great man, there is a great man behind - or rather next to - every great woman.

I loved to see how she fought, almost gave up her dreams, her rage when she admits she wanted to change the world herself and not just enable the next generation to do it, the way she swings between highs and lows, between feeling totally crushed and discouraged, and picking herself back up to keep fighting for what she believes in.

I loved the fact that the movie shows that gender equality is not about women, but it is about men AND women, that allowing equal rights means also more rights for the society as a whole, that it means less role barriers for everybody.

One last thing I keep from the life of Ruth Ginsburg: it is never too late to fulfill your dreams. Whatever you want to achieve or believe in, don’t give up and keep working at it as long as it takes. 💪

#onthebasisofsex #ruthbaderginsburg #womenempowerment #womensrights #genderequality #moviestowatch