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Citizen Ruth (1996)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
13 December 1996 (USA)
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Tagline:
Life, liberty, money and the pursuit of happiness. She's gotta have it. more
Plot:
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. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
4 wins
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Clooney will likely have Descendants
(From Corona's Coming Attractions. 3 November 2009, 7:58 AM, PST)
Tues Top Ten: Pregnancies
(From FilmExperience. 4 August 2009, 8:30 PM, PDT)
(From Corona's Coming Attractions. 3 November 2009, 7:58 AM, PST)
Tues Top Ten: Pregnancies
(From FilmExperience. 4 August 2009, 8:30 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
A Very Acid Social Criticism of the American Society Hypocrisy Regarding the Abortion Theme
more (40 total)
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 |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for substance abuse, strong language and a sex scene.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (FotoKem)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
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).
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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.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (40 total)
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Ruth (Laura Dern) is a young homeless glue-addicted street junkie, who is arrested again completely doped. The justice realizes that she is pregnant for the fifth time, and the judge offers her the option of an abortion. Ruth is released under the custody of a family and sooner she is involved in a pro-choice vs. pro-life (called 'The Babysavers') dispute. This is the first time I have seen this movie and it is a very acid social criticism of the American society hypocrisy regarding the abortion theme. The story does not spare any side, showing hypocrites persons on both sides. The pro-life are showed as religious fanatics and narrow-minded persons, the deranged family who lodges Ruth has a the father with sexual attraction in Laura and the mother a fanatic who does not see the behavior of her own daughter. The pro-choice group is showed as homosexual, but also faking a situation. In common, all of them are radicals hypocrites. And Ruth indeed is not caring whether she is going to have her fifth baby or not, abusing of drugs and alcohol and only interested in the money offered by both sides. And the rights of the citizen Ruth is the less important issue for both sides. Laura Dern has one of her best interpretations and in the very beginning of the movie, I did not recognize her. I believe she was not indicated for an Oscar due to the polemic theme of abortion. The performance of the cast and the direction are also excellent. My vote is seven, but maybe this movie deserves a better ranking after watching it for the second time.
Title (Brazil): 'Ruth em Questão' (Ruth in Question')