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Adam's Rib

Released Nov 18, 1949 1h 41m Romance Comedy List
96% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 86% Audience Score 10,000+ Ratings
A courtroom rivalry finds its way into the household when prosecuting lawyer Adam Bonner (Spencer Tracy) faces off against his wife, Amanda (Katharine Hepburn), who happens to be a defense attorney. Working on opposite sides of a lawsuit where a woman (Judy Holliday) has shot her cheating husband (Tom Ewell), Adam and Amanda are both determined to win the case, and their home becomes the setting for comical showdowns, with neither spouse willing to relent. Read More Read Less
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Adam's Rib

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Critics Consensus

Matched by Garson Kanin's witty, sophisticated screenplay, George Cukor, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn are all in top form in the classic comedy Adam's Rib.

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Critics Reviews

View All (27) Critics Reviews
Bob Thomas Associated Press Adam's Rib is one of the smartest comedies in years. It is a welcome return to the sophisticated spoofing that Hollywood seemed to have forgotten. Jul 25, 2019 Full Review Penelope Gilliatt New Yorker Katharine Hepburn conveys an extraordinary abundance of spirit. Jan 14, 2013 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Adam's Rib is a bright comedy success, belting over a succession of sophisticated laughs. Feb 3, 2009 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It feels as if it's more about how a couple can playfully fight while facing off in a courtroom rather than whether or not women should be treated impartially. Rated: 4/10 Aug 3, 2020 Full Review Matthew Pejkovic Matt's Movie Reviews 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. Rated: 3/5 Jul 6, 2010 Full Review Urban Cinefile Critics Urban Cinefile George Cukor directs with a light touch and the film leaps from one priceless moment to the next May 23, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (542) audience reviews
Savannah G This might be one of my Favorite KH Performances - This is a perfect example of the chemistry between Tracy and Hepburn. Really Strong performances and the topic is really revolutionary at the time. and the balance between the marriage of the couple and really what it means to be married and also the equality that often times does not show up within marriage. the storytelling and the bits of Humor really brought this movie to the forefront - Surprised that KH was not even Nominated for this performance! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/12/24 Full Review cato Watched on TMC tonight. Listed as a romcom. It's the opposite. Silly, contrived, poorly acted, typical of movies of that era. Attempted murder isn't funny no matter the rationalization. Skip this one. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/13/24 Full Review Shadowman4710 As a fan of Tracy and Hepburn, I really wanted to love this movie but I think the most I can manage is mild appreciation. It certainly has its good points. Tracy and Hepburn click very well together (as they usually did) and they have a good supporting cast. The problem is that the silliness of the situation wears very thing, very quickly. It's worth the time for Tracy and Hepburn fans but is probably too dated for anybody else to really enjoy. They did better in other films together. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/24 Full Review Elzi B It was absolutely painful to watch. The screaming, fighting, violence, and threatened violence both emotional and physical was a chore to sit through. The ending was implausible but typically Hollywood. The Kip character was a nightmare. That said, the acting was great among the secondary characters, and the Tracey-Hepburn chemistry was intense. I truly wonder what audiences experienced back in the era. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/12/23 Full Review Leaburn O One of the AFI top ten romantic films (somehow). A lighthearted look at a miscarriage of justice that is meant to be some kind of ribald comedy about gender prejudice but misses the target entirely. Not funny or entertaining, it nowadays feels like a drag to watch. Bought this one on DVD as not on the or streaming in the UK. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 08/01/23 Full Review Mark A Probably the best Tracy-Hepburn film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/16/22 Full Review Read all reviews
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Adam's Rib

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Movie Info

Synopsis A courtroom rivalry finds its way into the household when prosecuting lawyer Adam Bonner (Spencer Tracy) faces off against his wife, Amanda (Katharine Hepburn), who happens to be a defense attorney. Working on opposite sides of a lawsuit where a woman (Judy Holliday) has shot her cheating husband (Tom Ewell), Adam and Amanda are both determined to win the case, and their home becomes the setting for comical showdowns, with neither spouse willing to relent.
Director
George Cukor
Producer
Lawrence Weingarten
Screenwriter
Ruth Gordon, Garson Kanin
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Criterion Collection, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 18, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Runtime
1h 41m
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