Rudy (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Rudy (Special Edition)
Movie Review: A Testament To the Power of Determination and Fulfilling Your Dreams
Summary: 5 Stars
"Rudy" is one of the those special films that comes along which can truly change people's lives through its inspiration, and its power to live your dreams no matter the obstacles that are placed before you. In a great sense, it is a power of the American dream, that anyone, when given the opportunity, can fulfill their dreams and ambitions. Everyone who lives in this country, and everyone who has ideas and notions of the United States, understands that the American dream is about being given the opportunity.
"Rudy" is one of the greatest sports films ever made. The film was put together by the same team that gave us "Hoosiers" several years earlier. It's obvious that they love stories about the underdog, and Rudy Ruettiger certainly falls into that category. Some of the best films made are underdog stories. "Rocky" is one of the best. However, what makes "Rudy" and "Hoosiers" special is that they are based on real people and events.
Rudy Ruettiger is a young man who has but one dream that he has had since he was a small boy: to be a Notre Dame football player. No one thinks he can do it. Not even his own family believes that he is capable of fulfilling this larger than life ambition. "Notre Dame is for rich kids. It's not for us," says his father. "Don't waste your life chasing a stupid dream." This is the attitude of virtually everyone around Rudy. He's not especially big or even athletic, but he's got what most other players lack: heart. He is able to win over the coaches and teammates with his grit, determination, and unyielding desire to do everything it takes to make the Notre Dame team the best in the country, even if it means taking a beating every day during practice.
Fulfilling dreams is often a difficult and even daunting task. First, Rudy must get accepted into the university of Notre Dame. He's over at Holy Cross eagerly picking up his mail to see if he has been accepted. This isn't as easy as it seems as he is rejected one semester after another. Sean Astin gives the performance of his life in this film. He's able to make the audience share in his frustrations and doubts, while picking us up with his enthusiasm and over-zealous behavior regarding the football team.
Rudy's next hurtle is to make the football team. This is no easy task either as he has to make sure to give 110% just to make sure that the coaches see that he won't give up.
Finally, Rudy's next obstacle, and perhaps his biggest, is to find a way to dress for one game so that he can officially be recognized as a member of the Notre Dame football team. After all, this is his truest desire; to play in a game. The other accomplishments are merely steps toward this ultimate goal.
Anyone with a beating heart can't help but feel moved and inspired during the last few minutes of the film when Rudy is finally able to take the field. The dreams of nearly twenty-four years are felt in that final moment as they are finally fulfilled, and the story and events leading us to this point make it all the more powerful. But, you cannot appreciate the destination without appreciating the journey. Rudy's story would not be half as inspired if we weren't given access to the obstacles that he had to face and overcome. As many have said, it is in the journey.
I must mention the wonderful music of Jerry Goldsmith. It adds such a dimension to this film, that I'm sure you'll hear it playing over and over in your head long after the movie is over. The drums that he has beating throughout the soundtrack seem to beat with the same determination that Rudy has; as if he is grinding out each and every day, struggling to overcome each and every obstacle.
it is simply fantastic that stories like these are brought to light, whether it be through television, books, or movies. This is a film for the entire family to enjoy. All of us, at some time or another, need to be reminded that if we have a dream, we should never, ever give up until we fulfill it. This movie is a powerful testament to all who dream, and to all who wish to accomplish their dream.
Movie Review: So much more than your ordinary sports movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
From the time he was a young boy, everyone had told Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) that he was too small, too weak, and not smart enough to accomplish his ultimate goal - to play football for Notre Dame. Discouraged, he shelves his dream and follows his father and brothers to work in a steel mill. Only one person, Rudy's best friend Pete, actually has faith in him. When Pete is killed in a freak accident four years later, something in Rudy is reawakened, and he realizes that if he's ever going to be happy in life, he needs to play football. He needs to go to Notre Dame. But he doesn't have the grades to get in. We see Rudy do everything in his power, for several long semesters, to gain admission to the prestigious school.But getting into Notre Dame isn't his only problem. Once in, he has to get on the team - no mean feat for someone who, in the words of the maintenance man Fortune (Charles S. Dutton), is "five-foot nothin', a hundred and nothin'," and has "no speck of athletic ability." And even after he's on the team, there's no guarantee that he'll actually get to dress for a game. In the end, however, the results of Rudy's persistence and hard work are more than he could ever have imagined.
"Rudy" is a touching true story of the power of hope and hard work. It is a football movie, but it is also so much more than that. Rudy's steadfastness is very moving to see, and Sean Astin captures the character beautifully. I think this is Astin's best performance, transcending even Samwise Gamgee in "The Lord of the Rings" (it's a close call though). The supporting cast members are just as perfectly fitted to their roles. Charles S. Dutton turns in a great performance as Fortune, ultimately Rudy's best mentor, and Robert Prosky plays Father Cavanaugh, the priest at Notre Dame who offers Rudy a chance to improve his grades at a nearby junior college, whereby he just might have a shot at admission.
The soundtrack to the film is perfectly fitted. It puts the final cap on many an emotional scene. This Special Edition DVD offers an isolated music score, letting you listen to the music alone. The DVD has some other nice bonus features as well: "Rudy: The Real Story" is a short documentary on the real Rudy Ruettiger, with commentary from the man himself. It is touching to see Ruettiger talk about his experiences, and one can see that Sean Astin did a magnificent job conveying him to the screen. There is also a "Production" featurette, briefly outlining the making of the movie, and finally "60 Seconds With Sean Astin" features the actor giving us some quick commentary on the film. There are also Talent Files on the director and actors.
"Rudy" is one of the most inspirational sports movies I've ever seen. The fact that it is a true story makes it all the more amazing. If you enjoy films like "Remember the Titans" (with Denzel Washington), you'll love "Rudy" (and if you like "Rudy" but haven't seen "Remember the Titans," I recommend that one as well). This is a wonderful movie for anyone, whether you're a football fan or not (I'm not). It is emotional and moving, but never goes over the top. I can't imagine it having been done any better. "Rudy" is a must-see, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Movie Review: True-to-Life Tale of Simple Dreams
Summary: 5 Stars
RUDY is the story of a boy chasing a dream, who in the process becomes a man. It is a plot formula that we have seen before, time and time again. So what makes RUDY stand out so much in my mind? I think what makes this film so successful is the fact that it is true to life, unlike many sports films. In your typical "underdog" film, the sports team faces another losing season, only to channel their hopes and dreams into winning the state championship, the World Cup, etc. It is a concept that is generally played out exclusively "on the field," presenting the audience with a myopic view of the world in which sports are the only thing that matters. I often wonder to myself, after seeing such a film, "What happened to them after that?" And unless we're watching THE MIGHTY DUCKS, who decide to answer the question by putting out more movies, that question is left unanswered.
RUDY is very different. Here is a story about a dream. It is not a dream to score the winning touchdown of a bowl game. It is not a dream to play professional football. It is not an unrealizable fantasy that is sloppily achieved through the magic of filmmaking. Instead, it is a simple dream: to dress for one game on the Notre Dame football team. That's it. Moreover, RUDY is not the story of a man who accomplishes his goal in one season. It takes him years of hard work and disappointment. The effect of telling such a story is epic. By the time our hero finally takes the field, the emotional intensity of that moment is much greater than in most other sports movies I've seen. I am generally not really relieved or emotional when the underdog team finally wins the match-even if "We Are the Champions" is playing in the background, asking for our tears. But I wanted to see Rudy (Sean Astin) take the field so bad, I was extremely involved in the film.
Sean Astin does an incredible job in this role and I think it is by far one of the best performances of his career. In short, if you like sports movies in which the underdog triumphs in the end, you will love RUDY. It blows the genre out of the water. Instead of focusing solely "on the field," this film focuses more on the transformation of Rudy's character and the surrounding details and experiences of his life. RUDY is definitely worth owning in your collection.
Movie Review: Get your head outta your ass! See the facts!!
Summary: 5 Stars
While that remark may be harsh, and to some actually taken in a mean-spirited way, please read it once more, and consider it in love. Because Rudy had to do just that, and while in the film it wasn't said quite in that manner, that was the point. And in the end, the man with the dream, the one who listened to all the taunts, teases, and endured the agony of defeat, came out swinging. All adversaries whether friends or just plain creeps, they all ate crow in the end. The ones who encouraged Rudy shared in the joy of his victory!
Hey, you watch this and you just think to yourself about how easy it is to throw in the towel. To get so disgusted with everything life throws at you, and just quit. I've done it, even seen some people do it with life. Life was just too tough, therefore suicide was the easiest way out. But it seemed to me that sometimes Rudy had that tough love when he wanted to give up. When he tried to say that a whole year at Holy Cross was a waste, his boss, the maintenance man told him this, "You got your head so far up your ass about that damn football team, you missed the fact. You just got a year of top quality education. Waste? Don't be wastin' my time!" If that doesn't wake you up, then keep dreaming! Listen to the ones who mentor you. You might not always like what they say, but they're usually always right!
If you get just 1 thing out of this film, just remember to get up when you get knocked down. Don't let jerks get the best of you. John Hagee said, "When God sends you out in the ocean to catch Moby Dick, TAKE THE TARTER SAUCE WITH YOU!!!" The final lesson in this is simple. Don't apologize for your efforts. You will always have the kind of people who tell you, "Look at who you might be hurting, you only think of yourself." I've had to learn that sometimes, a simple SCREW YOU works just fine with that crowd, and I just kept my eyes open. Is this a tough lesson to learn? Oh yes is is! Is it worth it? Even more so. This movie is awesome for old and young alike, because it touches the soul, and ultimately builds a warrior. Kudos!
Movie Review: How much are you willing to give for your dream?
Summary: 5 Stars
This film teaches the lesson that doors only open for you when you push, and it teaches that lesson more effectively than perhaps any motivational film ever made.
Dan Ruettiger pushes through years of daunting physical, social and emotional obstacles to achieve two minutes of actual playing time for the University of Notre Dame. Was it worth it? Who are we to question another person's dream? All that matters, is that it was worth it to him.
Contrary to the opinion of another reviewer, I believe that that game time was bestowed not out of pity, but as a fitting tribute to the constantly inspiring dedication shown by a young man who, by all rights, had no business wearing that gold helmet.
He gave HIMSELF the right to wear it by doing everything possible to put himself within touching distance of something that should have been impossible, and by doing so, he (through this film) creates a grand and powerful analogy of nothing less than the American Dream.
How much of your life is up to you? You won't know until you push up against what look like limits and obstacles, until you reach for what looks to be out of reach, and find out if your push is hard enough and your arm is long enough. To do this, you will have to overcome your own fear, the doubt of your friends and family, and the reluctance of all the people who just want to shut their doors in your face; and even then you may fail. But no one ever made anything of themselves by scoffing at dedication and heart.
As Wayne Gretsky once said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." This wonderful film is about being willing to take the shots again and again and again, to risk everything for something you want more than anything else. Certainly there are more noble, more admirable dreams than to play football for a particular university; but if you think this film is just about a kid who wants to play football, you obviously have a pretty big blind spot.