Rudy

Positive—Underrated movie and worth watching at least once. Rudy is a sleeper that is bound to be in at your local video outlet. I expected the typical Hollywood feel good story that’s nice to watch but doesn’t connect with life as most of us know it. Not so. Rudy, a true story, goes beyond football and portrays perseverence perhaps better than any movie I’ve ever seen; for how does one persevere when there is no happy ending? Rudy deals with this in a fine way, looking in rather than out.

The ending is moving—a friend of mine who went through a lot of rough times in his school years cried. You might too. Not a very flashy film, but I recommend it. My Ratings: [4/3½]

Positive—…The importance of our “heart” attitude is given heavy emphasis, as Rudy (like David of the scriptures) exhibits a “never-say-die” tenacity that slowly earns the respect of the doubters who at first only see his lack of natural outward abilities. Steadfastness, discipline and patience are just a few of the godly qualities demonstrated by the title character, who comes from a religious (Roman Catholic) though seemingly not “born again” family.

Priests also play a key role in providing counsel and assistance to Rudy, most notably a Notre Dame elder who helps our hero gain admittance to the university and later offers the sage wisdom, “There is a God, and I am not Him.”

Other than the work-related death of Rudy’s best friend and a brief barroom scuffle, violence is limited to a series of hard hits on the football field (mostly absorbed by Rudy, who often seems to be little more than a tackling dummy for his much stronger teammates).

For a nineties-made film, the film is remarkably sex-free, with no fornication shown or even inferred among the principal characters. Relations with the opposite sex are only briefly played for laughs in Rudy’s efforts to secure a date for an awkward classmate. In fact, the movie would likely have been rated “G” were it not for a few mild profanities and blasphemies. Commendably, near the film’s conclusion, one of its characters is even shown being rebuked and striving to break his habit of taking the Lord’s name in vain.

If you’re looking for some warm fuzzies, goosebumps and maybe a tear or two, take a look at “Rudy” as another demonstration of the principle that “with God, all things are possible,” and then resolve to have the same determination in your zealousness for the Lord Jesus!

Positive—Considering that I hate football, its amazing that I absolutely loved this movie! To me, its not a movie about football, but about pursuing a dream no matter what anyone, even your own family says to you. I highly recommend it!

Positive—After viewing this film on television several years ago, our family decided to add it to our collection. Our son, now 11, has watched it many times for the football scenes as well as the sheer inspiration it invokes. Sean Astin, who is Patty Duke’s son in real life, plays the part of the mediocre athlete and student that has a dream. The film has it all… hard work, determination, underdog success. In the same vein as “Hoosiers” and “Rocky”, you want to stand up and cheer at the end of the film as Rudy is carried off the field by the Notre Dame team.

As a Christian and a mother, I often recommend this film to other families.

Negative—…I was so disappointed that I allowed my children to watch it—we even turned the volume down at one point. I lost count of all the G—D profanities (in my opinion, the worst of all foul language). It was a good movie… for adults. I want other parents to know, so they don’t make the same mistake with their children.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4