Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Holliday

There are two great husband-wife teams (one on-screen, the other off) involved in this classic 1949 comedy. Not only do Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy throw comedic sparks as a married team of la...( read more  read more... )wyers on opposing sides of a high-profile case, but their exquisite verbal jousting was scripted by the outstanding team of Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon. Leading all of this stellar talent was director George Cukor at the prime of his career. The result is one of Hollywood's greatest comedy classics, still packing a punch with its sophisticated gender politics. Arguably the best of the Tracy-Hepburn vehicles, Adam's Rib shows the stars at their finest in roles that not only made their off-screen love so entertainingly obvious, but also defined their timeless screen personas--she the intelligent, savvy, rebellious woman ahead of her time, he the easygoing but obstinate modern man who can't help but love her. Screen teams don't get any better than this. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

85% liked it

8,585 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

23 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: George Cukor

Release Date: November 18, 1949

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: September 19, 2000

Get It:

Stats: 465 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (465)


  • February 14, 2008
    Energetic and surprisingly free of period romance tropes, Adam's Rib has aged beautifully. It's not the most memorable movie in the world, but it's certainly worth watching.
  • November 10, 2007
    The fact that Hepburn and Tracey are in a film is reason enough to watch it, but this is a particularly good example. A courtroom comedy based on gender politics, the main drawback is obviously in it's age. Sexual politics have clearly progressed somewhat since this was made to t...( read more)he original conceit of the woman scorned having the right to shoot her cheating husband just does not hold up today; the characters involved in the case are all 2 dimensional stereotypes, but that is really just an excuse for Hepburn and Tracey's sparklingly witty exchanges. There are some amusing moments of farce, but it is the intelligence of the writing that raises this above the usual screwball comedy. They are a remarkably believable couple, and unlike the rest of the film, the scenes when they are alone together have not dated at all. Best of all it constantly surprises; just when you think it's going to settle into the usual cliches, it throws another curve ball (including the fact that Hepburn's male admirer is clearly as gay as a window!) Classic comedy from one the the all-time great screen partnerships.
  • November 10, 2007
    more twists and laughs than you can shake a gun at. male vs. female in a circus/court of law. anything with katharine hepburn in is bound to be good and this was no exception. the edible gun was a classic movie moment! every time i watch something with the hepburn machine in i ge...( read more)t more and more impressed with her. talking about the war between men and women... she's definitely the best female actress out there ever in my opinion
  • June 23, 2009
    What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

    In the atmosphere of post-World War 2, the social structure was slowly changing in the US regarding male dominance in the workplace and at home. This battle-of-the-sexes comedy film has been an inspiration for countless other ...( read more)films and television series about combative but sexually combustible couples.

    When sweet,ditsy blonde Doris Attinger is charged with the attempted murder of her two-timing husband, proto-feminist lawyer amanda "Pinkie" Bonner (Hepburn) agrees to defend her. But Amanda's husband, Adam "Pinky" Bonner (Tracy), is the prosecuting attorney, and their courtroom rivalry quickly extends into the bedroom. Thus, in court we have not only the case in question, but also the roles of husband and wife under examination. The case unexpectedly turns into a battle of the sexes in which the married lawyers attempt to outdo each other using sharp-tounged and trenchant phrases in dialogues that are brilliantly crafted.

    Hepburn's combative show in court--forever an inspiration to lady lawyers-to-be matches with Tracy's frothed indignation at her tactics and principles. Highlights include brainy Amanda's cross-examinations and the spectacle of Adam tearfully getting in touch with his feminine side to get his way back into his wife's good graces.

    Still crackling with wonderful performances, witty dialogue and spirited discussion of double standards and sexual stereotypes, critics still find this flick as arguably the best of Tracy-Hepburn team.

    Seriously, lawyers should never marry other lawyers.
  • March 18, 2009
    A hilarious and clever courtroom drama with a husband and wife defending opposing sides.
  • September 25, 2009
    The chemistry between Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy is absolutely remarkable and their pairings are among the best ever on the screen. And Adam's Rib is one of their best. The supporting cast is stellar. Jean Hagen and Judy Holliday are incredibly good. Extremely well writt...( read more)en, witty dialogue, expertly directed by George Cukor. A true classic.
  • September 8, 2009
    A fun and silly piece of feminism from quite a while ago. Nothing outstanding but still entertaining, particularly as a slice of a different era.
  • July 21, 2009
    Funny, funny, funny. Fast and furious. Well worth watching all these years later. HIGHLY recommend.
  • June 23, 2009
    Hepburn & Tracy. One of the greatest couples ever.
  • June 6, 2009
    They truly do work well together.

Critic Reviews


Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Adam's Rib" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Pat and Mike
    Pat and Mike (100%)
  • Without Love (1945)
    Without Love (1945) (100%)
  • Laws of Attraction
    Laws of Attraction (33%)
  • State of the Union (The World and His Wife)
    State of the Union (The World and His Wife) (100%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Adam's Rib : Watch Free on TV


Adam's Rib Trivia


  • These screen legends stared together in films such as "Adams Rib" and "Woman of the Year".  Answer »
  • ***Name The Actor/Actress That Was In These Movies*** *** Adam's Rib - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner - Boy's Town***  Answer »
  • Which of these movies had the fortune of featuring four-time Oscar-winner Katherine Hepburn?  Answer »
  • What four time oscar winning actress starred in the movies "Bringing Up Baby", "Adam's Rib", and "The African Queen"?  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Adam's Rib. Want to create one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?