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Movies / On DVD / Citizen Ruth
Citizen Ruth

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Citizen Ruth (1996)

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84 %
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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

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Citizen Ruth
  • Meet Ruth Stoops. She's homeless, dumb as a cinder block, and loves to get high huffing spray paint. Life would be dandy if it weren't for one tiny problem -- she's gotten herself knocked up for the umpteenth time, and it seems like everybody's got an opinion about what she should do -- from an angry judge to God-fearing Baby-Savers to radical lesbian feminists. And Ruth just wants to party! Laura Dern stars in an award-winning bravura performance backed by a stellar ensemble cast including Burt Reynolds, Mary Kay Place, Swoosie Kurtz, Kelly Preston, Kurtwood Smith, and Tippi Hedren. Written and directed by the team who brought you ELECTION and ABOUT SCHMIDT, CITIZEN RUTH is a hilarious, provocative look at what happens when a sperm meets an egg and sparks fly.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Citizen Ruth

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    03/27/09
    Todd McCarthy
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
    03/31/08
    David Ansen
    Newsweek
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    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.

    Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
    06/01/06
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    01/06/06
    Cole Smithey
    ColeSmithey.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/30/05
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
    04/09/05
    Robin Clifford
    Reeling Reviews

    Wicked comedy about abortion conflict. Dern is terrific.

    comment Comment
    04/01/05
    Brandon Judell
    PopcornQ

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    03/08/05
    Susan Granger
    www.susangranger.com
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    08/30/04
    Janet Maslin
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Payne didn't hit his stride until Election, but this is a good film.

    comment Comment
    06/07/04
    Alex Sandell
    Juicy Cerebellum

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    06/04/04
    Jake Euker
    F5 (Wichita, KS)

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    12/18/03
    Dragan Antulov
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    11/07/03
    Carol Cling
    Las Vegas Review-Journal
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    10/01/03
    Austin Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Payne's biting social satire about the abortion issue is shrewd and raucously entertaining. A smart and subversive comedy

    comment Comment
    06/04/03
    Frank Ochieng
    TheWorldJournal.com

    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.

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    04/04/03
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    02/17/03
    Jeffrey Westhoff
    Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

    An auspicious debut for director Payne that did more than hint at teh great things to come.

    comment Comment
    01/16/03
    Luke Y. Thompson
    New Times

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks | comment Comment
    01/10/03
    Nick Davis
    Nick's Flick Picks
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
    11/06/02
    Jeff Strickler
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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    August 23, 2006: More Comedians Invited to "Chuck & Larry's" Wedding
    If your movie already has Adam Sandler marrying Kevin James, and a side order of Jessica Biel for desert, what more do you need to make a comedy? Oh yeah: Steve Buscemi and Dan... More...

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