Citizen Ruth

Probably Laura Dern's finest performance. A simple lampooning of a controversial issue that brings the laughs. The best part is when one of the pro-choice activists chases after Dern with coffee cup planted firmly in hand.

I really loved this film. It's very funny and Laura Dern is brilliant in it. Plus, the ending is simply gorgeous, tying up the film and its meaning nicely.

A preview of Payne's Election, a great satire indicting both the pro-choice and pro-life camps

Amusing film that manages to skewer both sides of the abortion issue.

Witty and brilliantly handled, it probably does nothing to settle the abortion issue, but in its holding up a mirror to the prominent players in the respective movements, causes us to chuckle at what a farce it has become.

No character in the movie is even remotely likable, which makes watching "Citizen Ruth" a real joy.

I like the message Payne sends with this one. Pretty disturbing movie.

Not bad at all and the ending is very well done.

Alexander Payne's first feature is an accomplished dark satire in which Dern gives an incredible performance in a tricky role.

It's a shame that this is so hard to find these days and a much bigger shame that it is more relevant today than when it released. It's not like this is some stuffy message movie, though. It's really funny and full of energy. But, there's enough of a fixation on Laura Dern's feet in this movie to make you think Tarantino directed it. What was that about, Alexander?

Brilliant satire, clowning on both anti-choice and anti-life folks who exploit these people (and their unborn fetuses) for political gain. Walks a fine tightrope all the way through in terms of its comedic tone and its approach to this hefty theme, but it ultimately has its sights more on the poor and drug-addicted citizens of the US and how these kinds of people have little room for arguing over topics that wealthier people have the time for. It helps that Laura Dern is so fantastic.

The black humor is fine, but there's too little of it while both sides of the abortion debate are skewered in showing the hypocrisy that lies beneath. Dern puts on an amazing performance and probably could have won a few awards if her character had any redeeming values. It did seem longer than necessary, though.

Ruth em Questão estreava há 35 anos nos EUA. Parece uma boa sátira, mas fiquei pensando em quanto isso nos aproxima da realidade de quando as psicopatas de Cristo da Damares e da Sara Inverno foram azucrinar no ano passado a menina de 10 anos estuprada pelo tio, aff, essa gente é perversa. Era pra rir, mas fiquei deprimida. WERBrip R.A.R.B.G.

This movie isn't perfect, but it should be essential viewing for every American citizen living in the current climate. Which makes it being so difficult to find that much more of a tragedy. Featuring a loaded cast who all turn in solid to excellent performances (with Dern being the showstealer, she's stellar) and a thoughtful script that never insults anybody's intelligence and actually takes a measured look at one of society's most complicated social issues, it's definitely worth a look.

Rarely has a final scene defined a film’s message so completely. Ruth really gets one over on the self-serving cretins on either side of the abortion debate who are out only to use her as a political prop, as Payne tackles the contentious issue head-on with courage and cynicism, while directing with real style. Dern plays the irreverent, inhalant-abusing waster with complete conviction in one of her finest roles.

The movie deserves more. Excellent acting, direction, storyline. One thing I would be cautious of is of letting youngsters go on drugs by interpreting as a right from this movie. Otherwise, a must watch.

abortionists vs. anti-abortionists. that war is fucking hilarious. watching laura dern as a drug addict of the center of this clash was absolutely amazing. perfect debut by auteur director payne.

Payne sparks his career in what can only be described as a grey area in mainstream cinema between Nora Ephron and Todd Solondz; safe enough to be accepted and risky enough to get people's heads turning. Dern4Lyf

i love laura dern

For all its effort to make Ruth a real character among real people in a real social struggle, it doesn't do very much to develop anyone else as more than a person serving a cause, so that what's really mild stereotyping comes across as full-blown, thoughtless stereotyping with no imagination. A film that begs its characters to get to know the person huffing that paint should make some effort to present those characters also as real people.

It was really great. Laura Dern is awesome in this, and she's joined by a fun supporting cast. I also just love the message of this film, and the ending was particularly perfect. This one may not be quite as strong as Payne's future works, but it's really good in its own right.

Citizen Ruth, the feature debut of definitive contemporary film wit Alexander Payne, is a satire with the reckless courage to take on both sides in the abortion debate. There are no positive characters in the film, certainly not Ruth, whose preferred state is oblivion, and who perks up only when both sides start making cash offers. Whereas almost every film has a market in mind, here is a movie with a little something to offend anyone who has a strong opinion on abortion.

Interesting idea for a movie, but ultimately it fails to make good use of its screen time. Its basically just a too close to real life portrayal of both anti abortionists and pro choice groups. Its not much of a comedy either. The only funny part was the ending, but by that time it just felt like a total cop out given what the audience just sat through. That said Laura Dern was good.

I don't like movies like this because they don't have the balls to take any sort of side. They just skewer caricatures of each viewpoint and pass it off as comedy. Laura Dern is hilarious and fantastic, but this film is mostly cowardly and has little to say.

71.33.

Working with such an original script, Payne finds just the right tone -- one doesn't take anything too seriously, neither baby savers nor pro-choice members -- to build an intense, awkwardly moving and funny dramedy about this sick woman and her thoughts on having an abortion. Laura is scandalously good.

Laura Dern gives a fantastic performance in this film. Unfortunately the story drags on after awhile.

A disappointment. It is a film both about the abortion issue and how individuals are caught between political groups, and yet it doesn't grasp at anything profound, no matter how small, or any jokes outside of bad wigs and shallow stereotypes. The only aspect which succeeds, and shows what this film could have been, is Ruth (Laura Dern) who for all her dubious qualities can be sympathised with as a bored, naive individual with nothing to live for outside of solvent sniffing.

69.750

Hilarious, cynical movie in which Dern plays a pregnant paintspray-huffing pinhead who becomes the rope in a tug-of-war between the pro-choicers and pro-lifers.