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Citizen Ruth (1996)
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Reviews Counted: 25
Fresh: 21
Rotten:4
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: A satirical look at the abortion issue, that takes jabs at both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice proponents. Ruth Stoops, a low-class, unintelligent, unfit mother of four discovers while in jail that... A satirical look at the abortion issue, that takes jabs at both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice proponents. Ruth Stoops, a low-class, unintelligent, unfit mother of four discovers while in jail that she's pregnant again. The judge charges her with endangering the fetus, but tells her in confidence that he'll reduce the charges if she has an abortion. When word of this gets out, it changes Ruth's life dramatically, as she becomes caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between Pro-Lifers and fervent Pro-Choicers, each of whom want to use Ruth to get their messages and propaganda across. The proceedings escalate to bizarre proportions -- and in the process Ruth is virtually forgotten about. That is, until Ruth makes a decision about her pregnancy... [More]
Starring: Laura Dern, Swoosie Kurtz, Kurtwood Smith, Mary Kay Place
Starring: Laura Dern, Swoosie Kurtz, Kurtwood Smith, Mary Kay Place, Kelly Preston, M.C. Gainey, Kenneth Mars, David Graf, Tippi Hedren, Burt Reynolds, Alicia Witt, James Devney, Caveh Zahedi, Dean Ferrandini
Director: Alexander Payne
Director: Alexander Payne
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Release:
Apr 1, 2003
Reviews for Citizen Ruth
Uncharacteristically of Payne, the film lacks a sharp point of view, unfloding as a series of gigs (some quite funny), trying to be too fair--for a satire--to both sides of the abortion issue.
Payne's biting social satire about the abortion issue is shrewd and raucously entertaining. A smart and subversive comedy
Worst of all is Dern, who is so gratingly offensive that by the end of the movie you really just want her to shut up more than anything else.
An auspicious debut for director Payne that did more than hint at teh great things to come.
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