Directed by Alexander Payne
Written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor
Cinematography by James Glennon

Laura Dern as Ruth Stoops Swoosie Kurtz as Diane Kurtwood Smith as Norm Stoney Mary Kay Place as Gail Stoney Kelly Preston as Rachel M.C. Gainey as Harlan Kenneth Mars as Dr. Charlie David Graf as Judge Richter Kathleen Noone as Pat Tippi Hedren as Jessica Weiss Burt Reynolds as Blaine Gibbons Lance Rome as Ricky

Running Time: 102 min.
Release Date: Dec. '96

Overall Call:
Citizen Ruth is Alexander Payne's feature film debut (followed up by Election) and a fine, if not odd, first choice it is. Yes it is a satirical look at the abortion issue and much more. The abortion topic actually acts as a "hot topic" back drop. This back drop helps display how people can become so self-righteous about their beliefs they neglect to entertain that opposing views may have some truth to them. In addition, they often go to such extremes to get their point across they can end up contradicting their very beliefs. This kind of mentality seems to occur frequently as we move from issue to issue. The abortion topic is a good one to utilize as few others seem to divide people more definitively. Laura Dern as Ruth Stoops (great character name) is quite believable (as usual). The characters all flesh out the unfortunate humor in their positions on the issues at hand. Without giving the ending away, it's an appropriate one for the topic. Where some see it as a cop out by the director, I find it apropos as a metaphor for how the abortion issue is without conclusion. If you can detach yourself slightly from your stance on this issue, you might really enjoy the film and possibly get a glimpse through the humor into peoples fervent irrational beliefs.

Reasons For Recommendation:
+ Well handled sensitive theme
+ Laura Dern nails her role
+ More humor then I thought possible out of the story at hand