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Movies / On DVD / Citizen Ruth
Citizen Ruth

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Citizen Ruth (1996)

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Reviews Counted:24

Fresh:20

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 critic A-Z)
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    Bold drama about the dangers of zealotry.

    Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
    08/28/02
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
    Spirituality and Practice

    It's probably too schematic to reward more than a single viewing, but as a provocative one-time surprise it may become a specialized sleeper.

    comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Mike Clark
    Mike Clark
    USA Today
    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
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.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
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Its weak position on the issues allowed it to throw stones at everyone and seem like it was hip to what was going on.

    Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Dennis Schwartz
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Click to read the article

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

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    James Berardinelli
    James Berardinelli
    ReelViews
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

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

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Bryant Frazer
    Bryant Frazer
    Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Christopher Null
    Christopher Null
    Filmcritic.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Scott Renshaw
    Scott Renshaw
    rec.arts.movies.reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Steve Rhodes
    Steve Rhodes
    Internet Reviews

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    04/12/02
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

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

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Joe Baltake
    Joe Baltake
    Sacramento Bee
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
    01/01/00
    Nell Bernstein
    Nell Bernstein
    Salon.com
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

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

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Montreal Film Journal | comment Comment
    09/10/02
    Kevin N. Laforest
    Kevin N. Laforest
    Montreal Film Journal
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    06/18/02
    Mick LaSalle
    Mick LaSalle
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
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