"Citizen Ruth" satirizes the opposing sides in the abortion debate, as both focus on the case of a homeless, drug-addicted pregnant woman who has been charged with abusing her fetus by her constant inhaling of anything in an aerosol can. Ruth is played with psychotic charm by Laura Dern, who has the courage not to try softening an unsympathetic character, and it is her performance that carries the film, long after the story has revealed itself. She plays Ruth as thoroughly selfish, thoroughly manipulative, and completely unredeemable (which is fitting, as what might define redemption is part of the debate), and it's fun to watch her pull it off. Though much of the time we can see where the movie is going, Ruth keeps "Ruth" interesting to the end.