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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

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Citizen Ruth

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
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Payne didn't hit his stride until Election, but this is a good film.

comment Comment
06/07/04
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

Wicked comedy about abortion conflict. Dern is terrific.

comment Comment
04/01/05
Brandon Judell
Brandon Judell
PopcornQ

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

No review available.

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

Click to read the article

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

No review available.

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

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

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

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
Frank Ochieng
TheWorldJournal.com

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

No review available.

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

Click to read the article

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

No review available.

comment Comment
02/17/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
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
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times

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

No review available.

comment Comment
07/31/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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

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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

No review available.

comment Comment
03/08/05
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
www.susangranger.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Citizen Ruth

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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