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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   2,942 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% 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:
Fantastic 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:
Ruth: [after seeing a movie about abortion] I slept in a few dumpsters. Maybe I slept on some babies. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofs Citizen Kane (1941) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
9 out of 9 people found the following comment useful:-
Fantastic, 6 July 2006
10/10
Author: Wichita_Film_Fan from Kansas

There is something about Citizen Ruth that keeps me coming back to it. I must have seen it 30 times and haven't tired of it yet. It is genuine and the people are so amazingly real. It's almost as if some of my neighbours seem just like the characters in the film. That says a lot in my opinion. The Mid-west is a land that holds a special place in the American psyche. I can literally count on my hands the number of films that truly capture its spirit. Citizen Ruth is one of those films. From scenes in the hardware store to large rear wheel drive Fords, everything fits perfectly. This film captures a place called Omaha which for better or worse Hollywood largely ignores. It also treats a controversial topic like abortion in a thoughtful manner. Excellent film. Highly recommended.

10 out of 10 stars.

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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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