Adam's Rib (1949)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Directed by: George Cukor

Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn

Running time: 101 minutes

Adam and Amanda Bonner are two lawyers married to each other. When a woman is accused of attempting to kill her unfaithful husband, the usually tightly-knit husband and wife find themselves on opposite sides in the trial that follows. While Adam doesn’t mind his wife having a strong personality, can he accept a direct challenge from her?

A big part of the charm of this black-and-white Hollywood classic resides in the evident chemistry between Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. The fact that those two ended up having a relationship after working together is no surprise; they work so well off each other.

It must also be said that Adam’s Rib was ahead of its time. Considering the movie was made in 1949, it deals with issues that are still very touchy today; I can only imagine what it was back then. Issues of feminism, women’s equality and such must have really rubbed some people the wrong way then; it sometimes does so today.

Overall, this is a very entertaining romantic comedy, with a good deal of laughter. While it does not take itself seriously, it does manage to carry an important message. It is a bit cheesy, but that can be forgiven.

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