Citizen Ruth
New Films International | Release Date: December 13, 1996 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
63
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews
Positive:
11
Mixed:
5
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ExaminerBarbara Shulgasser
Dern is nothing short of brilliant here. Read full review
90
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
A hilariously brazen comedy whose heroine is an improbable hoot. Read full review
83
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Is it really possible to make a comedy about abortion? Alexander Payne, who cowrote and directed this mischievous bit of sociological screwball, has brought it off. Read full review
80
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
A deft, three-dimensional performance from Dern, playing an almost entirely unlikable character, aids incalculably in exposing what happens when political factions lose touch with the realities of the issues for which they claim to provide answers. Read full review
80
Washington PostJane Horwitz
Brave, funny and thoroughly irreverent. Read full review
80
Dallas ObserverAndy Klein
Both Fellini and Woody Allen have remarked that casting is 90 percent of directing--and Citizen Ruth bears witness to that notion. While this is primarily Dern's show, the casting is perfect all around. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
A satire with the reckless courage to take on both sides in the abortion debate. Read full review
75
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
Has its share of bitingly funny moments, and some of the comedy is quite inventive. Read full review
75
USA TodayMike Clark
An equitably rude comedy about abortion, brazen by definition but also fairly droll. It's probably too schematic to reward more than a single viewing, but as a provocative one-time surprise it may become a specialized sleeper. [13 December 1996, p.4D]
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Alexander Payne's equal-opportunity satire persuasively argues that no ideological group has a lock on "values" or "correctness," and reminds us that fanatics can be found on every side of an issue. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalle
Along the way, this funny picture does exactly what a satire should: It irritates everybody. At least it runs that risk. Read full review
60
TimeRichard Corliss
Payne cannot shape or propel his own good material. He lets things dawdle when briskness would be a boon, and defeats the gung-ho efforts of Dern and other worthy actors. [9 December 1996, p.82]
60
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Payne cops out, and the result is off-putting, despite a sparkling cast headed by a fearless Laura Dern in the title role. Read full review
60
SalonNell Bernstein
Citizen Ruth takes such pains not to take sides that it doesn't have any fun. Each faction gets the same amount of screen time, yells at the same volume, is equally unpleasant. Read full review
50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
A screwball comedy about the abortion issue? First-time writer-director Alexander Payne gives it a college try. Read full review
50
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not credited)
The result is studded with brilliant moments and an eccentric cast. Read full review
30
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Payne is just as guilty of using her (Ruth) as a figurehead for his ideas--most of them about the stupidity and futility of politics--as are the targets of his satirical abuse. Read full review
30
Washington PostDesson Thomson
The film degenerates into an overly simplistic satire -- with moon-worshiping, Guatemala-visiting, lesbian aborters on one side, and fetally obsessive, meat-eating, gun-toting Jesus worshipers on the other. Read full review
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