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Citizen Ruth
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Citizen Ruth (1996) More at IMDbPro »

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Citizen Ruth (1996) -- 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)...

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   2,953 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Alexander Payne
Writers (WGA):
Alexander Payne (written by) &
Jim Taylor (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Citizen Ruth on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 December 1996 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Tagline:
Life, liberty, money and the pursuit of happiness. She's gotta have it. more
Plot:
An unintelligent, drug-addicted, recently impregnated woman finds herself in the middle of an abortion debate when both parties attempt to sway her to their side. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
4 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Signatures: Laura Dern
 (From FilmExperience. 21 June 2009, 4:37 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
A fun satirization of the life-choice controversy more

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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Meet Ruth Stoops
Precious (USA) (working title)
The Devil Inside (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for substance abuse, strong language and a sex scene.
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (FotoKem)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The "ASK ME" pin worn by Kurtwood Smith in the hardware store shows up again in Alexander Payne's following film, Election (1999). more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Ruth is going out to party with her host family's daughter, she takes a hit from a bong, but does so incorrectly, not clearing the smoke from the chamber. more
Quotes:
Woman: We took the kids to Florida and stopped in Virginia to see the "Tomb of the Unborn Baby". more
Movie Connections:
Spoofs Citizen Kane (1941) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful:-
A fun satirization of the life-choice controversy, 21 February 2001
7/10
Author: George Parker from Orange County, CA USA

The title character of "Citizen Ruth" (Dern), an indigent and pregnant fume-head with a potty mouth and bad attitude, finds herself the unwitting cause of a clash of pro-choice and pro-abortion activists in this bitingly satirical look at the abortion issue in America. Dern makes an excellent centerpiece for this award winning comedy which mocks both sides of the life/choice controversy with a vanguard of comic stereotypes. "CR" should be an enjoyable and fun watch for those mature enough for strong language and not so brittle as to personalize the issues involved.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Citizen Ruth (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Foot Focus? jimmyd-5
Ruth Stoops or Terry Schiavo bryanstampy
Did anyone else think Laura Dern was stellar? moonstarsrevvvv
I missed the ending... acelda
Masterpiece princeplanet
Good movie? brian20nj
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