Citizen Ruth (1996)
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80% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
71% of users liked it
(5,006 ratings)
The divisive issue of abortion is at the center of Citizen Ruth, a political satire that attempts to subject both pro-choice and pro-life forces to equal ridicule. Laura Dern portrays Ruth Stoops, an irresponsible, unemployed woman who's addicted to inhaling household chemicals and has becomes… More The divisive issue of abortion is at the center of Citizen Ruth, a political satire that attempts to subject both pro-choice and pro-life forces to equal ridicule. Laura Dern portrays Ruth Stoops, an irresponsible, unemployed woman who's addicted to inhaling household chemicals and has becomes pregnant, for the fifth time. After she is arrested for substance abuse, the judge offers to lessen her sentence if Ruth chooses to abort her child. Ruth agrees, but that night she encounters a group of pro-life activists. They take her under their wing, promising to help her, while secretly planning to make her case public as a symbol for the pro-life movement . When Ruth discovers the deception, she takes refuge with a pro-choice group, sparking a media frenzy. Yet Ruth soon finds her new friends are also only interested in her value as a media icon. Realizing she has been used as a pawn in the abortion rights battle, the apolitical Ruth turns the tables, offering to join whoever will give her the best deal. What results is a frantic, comedic session of wheeling-dealing which argues that activists on both sides have become more concerned with waging political warfare than helping women. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Alexander Payne
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Dec 13, 1996 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 8, 2003
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
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.
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Brandon Judell, PopcornQ
Wicked comedy about abortion conflict. Dern is terrific.
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Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Payne didn't hit his stride until Election, but this is a good film.
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Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com
Payne's biting social satire about the abortion issue is shrewd and raucously entertaining. A smart and subversive comedy
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Laura Dern
as Ruth Stoops
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Swoosie Kurtz
as Diane
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Kurtwood Smith
as Norm
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Mary Kay Place
as Gail
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Kelly Preston
as Rachel
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M.C. Gainey
as Harlan
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David Graf
as Judge Richter
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Tippi Hedren
as Jessica Weiss
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Diane Ladd
as Ruth's mother
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Kenneth Mars
as Dr. Charlie
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Alicia Witt
as Cheryl
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Burt Reynolds
as Blaine Gibbons
- Caveh Zahedi
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Kathleen Noone
as Pat
