US Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg is largely seen by progressive pockets of America as a key figure protecting the public from Trump’s abuses of power. Ginsberg was appointed to the court by Bill Clinton back in 1993 and is the most liberal justice on the court.

Mimi Leder’s On The Basis of Sex details Ruth’s (Felicity Jones) life well before she made it to the bench. A pioneer for women in the legal profession, Ginsberg was in one of Harvard Law School’s earliest classes that admitted women. She graduated at the top and collected many accolades and honours, but the reality of sexism in the profession made it impossible to be employed as a lawyer upon graduation. Still, through her work as a professor of law, she was able to take on a case of gender discrimination. In the '70s, she successfully argued that laws that discriminated on the basis of sex were unconstitutional. This paved the way for a spate of challenges to discriminatory laws which allowed women greater legal equality.

Legal films are always tasked with the challenge of turning hours of procedural paperwork – copious reading, and endless typing – into something interesting. Leder’s film does so by focusing on Ginsberg’s frank personality. Her persistence despite the doubts of even her closest allies is remarkable. It’s likewise interesting to watch her discuss gender discrimination law with her students – her classroom is a colourful, free-form place of swear-ridden discussion, which is refreshing after scenes of stuffier Harvard lessons.

Ginsberg’s engagement with her family is also a site of both drama and dedication. She and her husband, Martin (Armie Hammer) interact as supportive equals. Meanwhile, there’s no small amount of tension between Ginsberg and her daughter, both of whom care deeply for gender equality but see its pursuit in different lights. While Ruth is embroiled in re-writing legislation, her daughter is more interested in rallying protests. Both end up learning from each other's perspective.

The film is heartwarming and sweet, and has a happy ending. Given that it was written by Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s nephew (Daniel Stiepleman), we’re forced to wonder if the film is perhaps too sweet, and perhaps skirts over the flaws of Ginsberg and her family. Still, it’s a fascinating rendering of a woman who has played an important role in US history, and who now plays the important role of keeping the US Supreme Court humane.