Citizen Ruth (1996)

An irresponsible, drug-addicted, recently impregnated woman finds herself in the middle of an abortion debate when both parties attempt to sway her to their respective sides.

Director:

Alexander Payne

Writers:

Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Stars:

Laura Dern, Swoosie Kurtz, Kurtwood Smith

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laura Dern	...	Ruth Stoops
Swoosie Kurtz	...	Diane Siegler
Kurtwood Smith	...	Norm Stoney
Mary Kay Place	...	Gail Stoney
Kelly Preston	...	Rachel
M.C. Gainey	...	Harlan
Kenneth Mars	...	Dr. Charlie Rollins
David Graf	...	Judge Richter
Kathleen Noone	...	Nurse Pat
Tippi Hedren	...	Jessica Weiss
Burt Reynolds	...	Blaine Gibbons
Lance Rome	...	Ricky, Ruth's Lover
Jim Kalal	...	Tony Stoops
Shea Degan	...	Arresting Officer
Vince Morelli	...	Dr. George

Storyline

Ruth Stoops is a poor indigent drug-user (a huffer - inhaling glue and paint for a high) whose down and out existence is complicated once more by becoming pregnant (she has had and lost four children already). When a judge orders that she gets an abortion or face a felony charge, she is befriended by Gail Stoney, a pro-lifer whose husband is president of the local "Babysavers" group. Suddenly Ruth is thrust into the middle of the pro-choice/pro-life struggle, with each side wanting her to take their side as a "message" to others - and the situation escalates...

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Plot Keywords:

abortion | judge | extremist | activist | propaganda | 

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Taglines:

Meet Ruth Stoops...One Bad Mother.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for substance abuse, strong language and a sex scene

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Meet Ruth Stoops

Filming Locations:

3216 1st Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$26,709 (USA) (13 December 1996)

Gross:

$153,155 (USA) (10 January 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Pictures (II), Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (FotoKem)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final theatrical film of Kenneth Mars.

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Goofs

When Norm is lying next to Ruth on her bed, there is a change of camera. He moves his hand to the center of his chest in each camera shot.

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Quotes

Rachel: It is always women like you who are most victimized by anti-choice: indigent women, third-world women, women of color.
Ruth: I'm not a colored woman!

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Crazy Credits

About halfway through the credits, we hear the beginning of Tape 2, Side 1.

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Connections

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

User Reviews

Underrated Gem

In the wake of the huge success "Sideways" is garnering lately, everyone should look back at this incredible film from Alexander Payne, which shows off everything he and writing partner Jim Taylor are best at- the dark skewering of small-town America, rich with satire and heart. I had seen all of Payne's films except this one, and although I really loved all of them, this may be his most fully realized. This is probably because his targets are hit exactly dead-on, and the absurdity of the situations are in fact, achingly real. Laura Dern gives a wonderful and unflinching portrayal of Ruth, and the rest of the cast, especially Swoosie Kurtz, Mary Kay Place, and in a small role, Burt Reynolds, are exceptional as the targets of Payne's satire. Payne fills his films with little details of small-town life, and here they add so much to the point of the story. Take for example the grace that Kurtwood Smith's character gives, which is barely heard because of the roaring plane overhead. It is these details that are the crux of a story like this. So as "Sideways" continues to claim many awards (and rightfully so), I urge you to check out this earlier film from Payne, and experience a brilliant little film, and one of the gutsiest movies you may ever see.