Adam’s Rib (George Cukor, 1949)

            The movie’s plot centers on the trial of Doris Attinger, a modest housewife and mother, who is alleged to have attempted to kill her philandering husband after catching him with another woman.  

            Adam and Amanda Bonner are both lawyers – Adam a District Attorney and Amanda in private practice.  On the surface they seem to be well matched, very much in love and quite happy together.  Despite the gender stereotypes of the time, Adam appears to have a great respect for Amanda's education and profession.  

           Upon the news that Adam has been assigned the Attinger case, Amanda decides to represent the defendant.  During a conversation Amanda becomes passionate about the case and Adam laughs and calls her “causey.”  One night while getting ready for bed Amanda conveys that a man is deserving of the same justice …”not just those who had the misfortune of being born female.”

            The very title of the movie suggests where women rank in society.  According to the Bible, women were made from Adam's rib, implying, perhaps, that in some way women are the property of men.  At one point, Amanda has a conversation with her secretary regarding the circumstances of Mrs. Attinger’s actions.  When questioned about the permissibility of a man’s infidelity, the secretary shrugs it off as unfortunate, but not surprising.  However, when asked about the same about a woman, it becomes scandalous.  Even in a seemingly progressive society there still seems to be loyalty to the patriarchy and its double standard for behavior.

            The film also illustrates a common theme of women being judged based on their appearance.  Doris was conservatively dressed while the other woman, Beryle Caighn, wore more stylish, form-fitting clothes and coiffed hair. 

             Of course it wouldn’t seem strange for Mr. Attinger to choose the more attractive woman.  During the trial, Mr. Attinger testified that he had a habit of beating his wife, staying out all night and claimed she was too fat (she was not) and that he had not been in love with her for three years with no consequences.  He seemed to genuinely believe he was not at fault.               

             Women were stereotyped as being the weaker sex.  A sign of this weakness was crying.  During cross examination Ms. Attinger became emotional and Adam told her to “have a good cry” and asked “Are you crying because of your domestic failure?”  There was no hint of sympathy for Ms. Attinger, but rather an attempt to shame her for being a “domestic failure.”  Later in the movie during an argument, Amanda began to cry and Adam accused her of turning on "the juice."  It is interesting to note; however, that a climactic moment in the movie shows Adam crying.

            The conflict between genders did not stay in the courtroom, but also took a toll on Adam and Amanda’s relationship.  Over the course of the trial, Adam’s double standard was cleverly exposed.  While he certainly adored and respected Amanda in private, he had no ethical issue painting Ms. Attinger, and women in general, as not so bright.  In an attempt to prove differently, Amanda called several female witnesses to illustrate that women can be just as (or more) educated and just as (or more) physically strong than men.  As a result, Adam is ashamed of her actions.  It shows that when a woman (Amanda) gains status in her career she loses her desirability. 

            It is obvious that the strain of the issues brought up in the trial impact the couple’s own gender roles and interaction.  The prospect of divorce often guides people's behavior.  A scene at the accountant's office might lead us to believe that divorce is imminent; however, it is quickly reconciled and the couple move forward with a new understanding and acceptance of one another.