Rebel with a Clause
Last week, I attended the NYC premiere of Rebel with a Clause. The documentary is a beautifully curated series of encounters that Ellen Jovin and her filmmaker husband, Brandt Johnson, have with the American public as Ellen invites people to talk about their grammar insecurities and pet peeves. It’s so much fun to watch; I laughed often, and the scenery and sense of adventure are uplifting. Jovin’s travels remind the viewer how vast the US is while demonstrating an unexpectedly profound and sincere sense of connection that arises from discussing, and sometimes disputing, the underlying system of meaning-making that allows speakers to communicate with one another and even with themselves.
The beauty of Jovin’s approach is that because she’s so welcoming and naturally curious, people are willing to drop their guard and talk about either their own weaknesses when it comes to applying grammar or, less endearingly, the weaknesses they perceive in their spouse or child. And Jovin brings out an extraordinary passion for language in her interlocutors! A New York Times reviewer made a point of saying the average age of audience members at the premiere was, well, old. But the many enthusiastic visitors to the grammar table clearly prove that grammar is relevant for people of all ages. They care deeply about the way they express themselves, and they’re often attached to the rules they learned in school or from a family member.
The documentary is structured around grammar constructs rather than its somewhat random geographical choices. This was wise because the documentary is not being released in the same political climate it was recorded in. To the extent that the documentary is not about grammar at all but a commentary on the American public and, unavoidably, the American education system, it’s not a particularly encouraging picture. Inevitably, views about language take on heavy symbolism in 2025 that is appropriately divisive, such as those of the older white male who rigidly declares that the universal pronoun is “he” and not the “singular they.” Ellen listens politely and lets them have their say. She’s out to bring people together in public spaces, not to fix their worldview.
And yet, I did feel I was mostly laughing along with the visitors to the grammar table, especially those who were open to learning something new about grammar or about themselves. The spirit of the documentary is one of celebrating the eccentricities of language—pronunciation as well as grammar—and by extension, the differences and commonalities between Americans. It deserves to be received in the spirit of generosity in which it was conceived and created.
I owe a big thank you to Ellen Jovin and Brandt Johnson for bringing together so many language lovers for the NYC premiere. On a personal level, it was a wonderful opportunity to meet a fellow remote editor in person for the first time. I hope Ellen’s project of bringing people together continues through the documentary. I recommend seeing it as soon as it is showing anywhere near you. Go to a physical theater if possible, but if you must stream it, watch this highly entertaining film with your family and friends. Then you can banter about grammar afterward.
