Adam’s Rib is a war of the sexes/court room comedy which spunk and humour does not resonate today like it did decades ago.  

The films strength is the casting of notorious off screen lovers and on screen partners Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. They share equal billing and equal screen time, and naturally their chemistry – as well as their performances – is off the chart, which is not surprising considering the adulterous affair between the two. Ironically, adultery is one of the key factors in Adam’s Rib.

Hepburn and Tracy play Amanda and Adam Bonner, two lawyers who take on an attempted murder case after a housewife (Judy Holliday) shoots her scumbag husband for abuse and infidelity. As the Assistant District Attorney it is Adam’s job to follow the letter of the law and secure a conviction, which is a hard task when Amanda – frustrated on the double standards placed on women – seeks out to defend the would be murderer on the basis of women’s rights. Soon the case becomes front page news, and the tension in the court room seeps into their home life.  

There are two key glaring factors which marred this film. First, their characters are rich idealists (never an appealing combination); and second, is the inclusion of an annoying supporting character, the infuriating Broadway composer Kip, played by David Wayne. And let it be known, every time he appeared came an overwhelming desire to kick in the screen.     

However, the biggest problem with Adam’s Rib, was the double standards placed on men, which they depict as brutish, unreasonable, adulterous beings who not only deserve death, but that their deaths should be celebrated.

Hence, much like the fictional case it depicts, the film becomes less a comical farce surrounding the sexes, but more of a pro-feminist film meant to stick it to men, led by uber dragon lady Katharine Hepburn, while a hapless Spencer Tracy looks on. So while Adam’s Rib tries to contend the sexism thrown towards women, it just throws the same muck back on men.  

Thanks to an at times sharp script, solid lead performances, and a scene stealing supporting turn by Judy Holliday, Adam’s Rib is an entertaining enough film to warrant a solid review. But one of the great comedies of all time? Not even close.