Making the Case highlights a different side of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Sitting on the court for over 27 years, Ginsberg interpreted the Constitution and ruled on landmark cases throughout the 21st century. Hinting only briefly at her expansive career, director Jennifer Callahan takes a personal and unique approach to the Notorious RBG.
“…the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg…discusses her love of pockets and travel and her time working ‘the best and hardest job.'”
Even in the opening of this short film, Making the Case seeks to display the person behind the legend. The documentary—an interview, really—is told entirely through the contents of Ginsberg’s handbag and her description of her favorite handbags. She discusses her love of pockets and travel and her time working “the best and hardest job” in her time serving on the United States’ highest court. Callahan shows a wholesome and human side of someone whom history will paint as larger than life. The movie gives the viewer a lot of insight into RBG as more than a Justice in minimal dialogue beyond the handbags.
The concept of the documentary is creative and is a sweet memorial to a woman who dedicated her life to civil service. However, the entirety of this movie is RBG opening her bag and discussing her many handbags. It adds a lot of personality to the late Justice but, familiarity with her work is a pre-requisite. With a seven-minute run-time, Making the Case feels like a piece of a much bigger story either yet to be told or told by other films. I love the format, but I would only recommend this to the devote fans of RBG and handbag enthusiasts rather than those wishing for a story of her political rise to prominence.
"…a sweet memorial to a woman who dedicated her life to civil service."
