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Plot: An uneven script is the flaw of this social satire set in America's heartland. It deals with an unrepentant junkie, played with unexpected finesse by Laura Dern. Pregnant for the umpteenth time and in...( read more read more... )formed by a judge he may overlook felony charges if she aborts the pregnancy, the stoned Ruth Stoops is claimed as a dazed spokesperson by both sides of the controversial abortion issue. This has a lot to say about the abuse and influence of the media The black, black humor is subtle and intelligent and quite often works in the hands of the strong supporting cast. However, the script occasionally lurches into depressing territory, throwing off the balance. Still, this raises interesting issues and Dern's performance is very powerful. Ruth is flawed and prickly, but Dern brings her to life by imbuing her with interesting personality tics. --Rochelle O'Gorman

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Recent Reviews

  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 31, 2008
    Brilliant! Laura Dern gives an outstanding performance, though the excellent supporting cast shine as beautifully. The film is as unbiased as it is hilarious.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 16, 2008
    As far as I am concerned this is Laura Derns best acting performance. I find Laura can a little hammy sometimes in the acting department but she acts as something out of her repetoir. Shes not this cultured caring lady, Laura plays Ruth , a drug addicted woman who had become pregnant. When she is arrested for doing drugs she is told by the judge that if she aborts the baby he will drop charges placed against her. The christian church gets involved and a war ensues between Prolife and prochoice groups. Laura holds the balance of power as a symbol that shift authority for the groups. Hilarious.
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    April 6, 2008
    it was stupid of them to trust her with free access to so many chemicals, booze, & cash. they fully knew she was an addict and did nothing to take that into account and so got what they deserved. although the baby didn't...
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    March 17, 2008
    Laura Dern gives a fantastic performance in this film. Unfortunately the story drags on after awhile.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    March 2, 2008
    It was like a train wreck, I couldn't stop watching. This movie is so off the wall, kind of like the stepford wives.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    December 24, 2007
    "Ruth, you listen to me! Don't you do it! What if I'd aborted you? Well at least I wouldn't have had to suck your boyfriends cock! Don't you bring that up again! That's ancient history! I've been saved! Fuck you!
    A brilliant dark comedy about abortion. Laura Dern gives the performance of a lifetime. Great cast and a great score.
  • 2.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 23, 2007
    Beh. Didn't get much out of it other than seeing another stepping stone from where Alexander Payne came from.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 16, 2007
    This is a funny and clever satire on the touchy subject of abortion. Laura Dern is terrific as "Ruth", a pregnant drug-addict who unwillingly becomes the centre of the pro-life vs. pro-choice debate. What I liked about this film is that they equally take a look at both sides of the issue and as well as make fun of how ridiculous biased they both are in a very smart way. The supporting cast are all really good, the script is intelligently written and the direction was well done. Definitely worth a watch!
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    July 2, 2007
    Doooon't give up on Baby Taaaanyaaa, doooon't give up on Baby Taaaanyaaa...
    Who does American satire better than Mr. Alexander Payne? All of his films (this, his earliest, along with Election, About Schmidt and Sideways) focus on people just a little too absurd to be living (i.e. Tracy Flick, Ruth Stoops, Warren Schmidt), taking up residence in places in America that always seem to be cloudy, as if even the weather couldn't give a shit about them.

    Laura Dern plays Ruth Stoops, a homeless druggie addicted to snuffing patio sealant, who winds up pregnant and sentenced to a jail term for carelessly threatening the life of her unborn child... that is, until the judge bargains that he'll drop her term if she gets an abortion. Some women from a group called the Babysavers end up sharing a cell with Ruth, and one all-American couple (seen above) takes pity on her and invites her into their home, hoping to clean up the hopeless Ruth. From there, satire ensues.

    What's amazing about a movie about abortion is what side it takes; Citizen Ruth decides firmly not to side with either group, and in lesser hands the movie could have seemed wishy-washy, but under the direction of Mr. Payne, every satirical moment works hilariously, and the closing sequence is almost breathtaking in its scope and message, without being preachy.

    Laura Dern is strange-looking, but she works as white trash. The supporting cast is hilarious .. no other real big names, besides Burt Reynolds as a supah-creepy old man (as usual). Definitely worth a rental.
  • 2.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 26, 2007
    A comedy about the abortion issue is a tough sell, but it almost works here. It's a shame, too, because the film has a lot to say about the lunacy of both political extremes that champion human rights, while trampling everyone in their way.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    January 24, 2007
    I saw this completely by accident in the early hours of the morning. It was gloriously intelligent and funny, despite the dark subject matter; in fact, because of it. A really fresh and candid look at a controversial issue, making a point that should never be forgotten - the individual matters more than the principal.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 12, 2006
    I saw this completely by accident in the early hours of the morning. It was gloriously intelligent and funny, despite the dark subject matter; in fact, because of it. A really fresh and candid look at a controversial issue, making a point that should never be forgotten - the individual matters more than the principal.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 4, 2006
    Laura Dern is awesome! This is one of my all time fave movies. It is well acted while still being hilarious and forces the audience to delve into their personal opinion on abortion and how it is being handled.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 4, 2006
    I'd always assumed 'Election' was Payne's first film, so discovering this was a very pleasant suprise. From what I can gather this has never been released in the UK in any form which is very suprising, especially after Payne's recent success with 'Sideways'.

    It's very similar to Todd Solondz's "Palindromes" but with a lighter touch (although there are some jet black gags). Laura Dern is excellent and continues to rise in my estimation.

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Details

  • Rated: (R)
  • Directed by: Alexander Payne
  • Genres: Comedy
  • Released: December 13, 1996
  • DVD Released: April 8, 2003

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