To be completely honest, I was actually impressed with this film. It is sweet, but there is an honesty and a strong sense of realism at the heart of this film, which to me, provides the base of its appeal. "Rudy", unlike the majority of films about athletes, paints a picture of the real everyman (basically, the jock who isn't a jock) and it does so in a way that is plausible from start to finish. Working hard, eating, breathing and sleeping the game does not mean that you will wind up the star quarterback. Rudy's struggles are genuine: his family is poor and has never sent anyone to college, his grades are sub-par (largely the result of an undiagnosed learning disorder), he can't afford his junior college let alone Notre Dame and Rudy is, at best,only a moderate athlete. It is in the way that he overcomes these obstacles (not to mention the beautiful performance by Sean Astin) which provides the refreshing realism which is at core of this film. "Rudy" is what sports are really all about.
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gwenivere_pendragon24 May 2004
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LebowskiT100019 November 2002This is a great film about going for your dreams and never giving up. No matter who tells you that you can't do it, no matter how unlikely the chances are, no matter what, make sure you go for your dreams and do everything that you can make them come true.
Sean Astin delivers one of his best performances to date. He plays the character of Rudy Ruettiger perfectly! He was an excellent choice for the role and he deserves a great deal of credit for his work (as does the true life Rudy). The rest of the cast was quite good as well; Jon Favreau, Ned Beatty, Lili Taylor, Charles Dutton, Robert Prosky, and Vince Vaughn (in one of his first roles). All of the supporting cast was excellent.
If you like inspirational movies, or just movies about football (although there is much more to this movie than just football), then I highly recommend you see this film. I hope that you enjoy it. Thanks for reading,
-Chris -
One of my favorite football movies of all time, this film follows in the long tradition of great sports movies which can uplift the spirit through means other than winning the big game and getting the girl or some other typical Hollywood convention. The music, cinematography and acting was excellent in this film, especially considering the terrible film choices Sean Astin had before embarking on this movie. While this was really an homage to Notre Dame football, a person could really look at Rudy and see a little of themselves inside the relatively small man. Charles Dutton had one of the greatest speeches in the history of sports cinema, and he should have gained more notoriety for his performance in this film.
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comickoz28 December 2001This is a movie for everyone who ever felt like the little person, overlooked by those who were bigger or more popular. "Rudy" had kind of a lame title for a sports movie, and i remember the first time I saw a preview of it, I was totally moved and involved by the scenes and then guffawed aloud at the end when the announcer intoned, "RUDY." That set the rest of the theater laughing too, so imagine my surprise when i saw it a couple months later and it was a 10 out of 10 in my book. I'm not even a sports fan but this movie got me. It shows the power of faith to get by with any frustration in life, the performances are great and it's a shame that Sean Astin had to wait eight years to get another great break with "Lord of the Rings." His is a worldclass performance in this film, see it as it is one of the most inspiring films you'll ever see.
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Casa200013 February 2000One of the most wonderful things a film can do is be so moving and triumphant that it makes you cry. You aren't crying because Bambi mother's was killed or because Jack Dawson went down with the ship; instead you are identifying with the power of the human spirit. Rudy is an ordinary man, you could even argue that he is less than ordinary in regards to his physical tributes and academic capacity, but he achieves an extraordinary feat. He leads with his heart, even when he doesn't fully understand why he is putting himself through such perils. He seeks to prove himself to others, to all those who doubted him and he thrives to achieve his goal for those few who believed in him. And eventually, when he tested in his darkest moment, his epipany comes: he needs to do this for himself.
Sean Astin is brilliant in his role as Notre Dame's most famous would-be underachiever. He plays Rudy with such dedication and determination that it is impossible not to be impressed by his perseverance, inspired by his courage, and touched by his passion for the game.
The story is wonderfully told by director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo. Jerry Goldsmith's score and Oliver Wood's cinematography truly capture the power and beauty of the story. This film is an incredible achievement. It touches its viewers right where it counts: in the heart. And the film has its own emotional centre, its own eloquent theme which everyone can identify with. We all have dreams, but we don't all strive to attain them because sometimes our work ethnic does not live up to our aspirations. As a result, Rudy is an inspiration to anyone who thought they couldn't hang in there or don't think they have the potential to even try. You can do anything you but your heart and mind to, it is just a question of maintaining that integrity for the entire journey.
Every single time I watch "Rudy", tears race down my face. This film makes me want to strive for all that I thought I can be and attain the most seemingly intangible achievements in life. It is important to have things in life which help you to realize your dreams and persuade you to act on them. "Rudy" is mine. -
jgil-122 February 2004This movie was dubbed a football version of "Rocky" except for one exception --it is an actual true story!! If you can watch "Rudy" and not have a lump in your throat during several scenes, especially the ending, then you are a hard to please critic!! This movie deserved much better than the 7.1 than the "critics" gave it. Sean Austin did a magnificent job playing overachieving Rudy and for those who ridiculed the fact that he only played a few seconds at the end of a lopsided game missed the whole point of the story. Rudy's dream was to play football at Notre Dame and earn everyone's respect (including his doubting family). With his lack of talent for both academics and athletics, the mere fact that he was even admitted into Notre Dame after struggling so hard to get good grades at Holy Cross (the Junior College Rudy went to in an attempt to prove himself worthy of Notre Dame since he had been out of High School for several years and made poor grades in High School.) He overcame his learning problems that had held him back in High School and this was a monumental achievement in itself. The scene where he was finally admitted into Notre Dame on his final attempt (he had been rejected 3 earlier times) was uplifting indeed. Rudy overcame reading difficulties thru hard work much the same way he overcame his lack of size to make the Notre Dame's football team --thru a gut-busting, never quit attitude. His teammates were so impressed with his attitude that they forced the coach (Dan Devine, a real jerk in the movie) to dress him for the final game. The final scene where the entire stadium was hollering "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy" in an effort to get him into the game at the end was spine-tingling! Rudy busting thru the line to sack the quarterback at the end of the game and get carried off the field with the stadium going nuts chanting his name---Well, movies don't get any better than this. And all this really happened!! Amazing how one of the best stories ever told in movies involve an "average Joe" who achieved his dream thru hard work----a Horatio Alger story indeed--10 out of 10 definitely ---For some of you "critics" that rated it worse than a "7" --you should take a class in movie critic reviews --you definitely would flunk my class if you gave this one a worse score than that!!
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blanche-214 March 2009Sean Astin is "Rudy" in this 1993 true story of Rudy Ruettiger, a short, average kid who wanted to dress for the Notre Dame football team. Rudy's story is one that is used to demonstrate the power of single-mindedness and determination in the face of all odds. His story provides a great lesson - the brick walls aren't there to keep you out, they're only there to keep out the people who don't want something badly enough.
Rudy grows up obsessed with Notre Dame football, but he lacks the physical prowess for the game and the grades for Notre Dame. He also comes from a family, headed by Ned Beatty, whose attitude is, know your place and stay there, and whose goals are to join the union, work a union job, and have a home and family. Rudy's girlfriend wants to get married, and the only person who understands his dream is his best friend. When tragedy strikes, Rudy realizes that he has to pursue his dream or he'll never be happy.
This is a very inspirational film, all the more inspirational because it's true. Sean Astin gives a very natural performance as Rudy - he doesn't "act" in the sense of giving an emotional, big performance, but rather behaves like a young man from a lower middle class family in Joliet, Illinois, probably much as the real Rudy acted.
Life can be pretty frustrating and when trying to break through a glass ceiling or a brick wall like Rudy did, it's tempting to want to give up. People today want things to happen fast, too. Rudy's compelling story says that passion and perseverance can bring you a long way. Here was a kid with no money, no family support, dyslexia, average grades, who was too wimpy for football. Watch what happens to him. -
Rudy is a story that pulls at every heart string and emotions you possibly could have. Why? Well it doesn't have to do with the actors, though they are all great. It doesn't have to do with the filming, it isn't what draws us in. It is one thing. The one major fact.
The True Story. To watch and see how Rudy overcomes every obstacle he faces. To see how Rudy truly triumphs, even if it isn't the best possible success for someone, for Rudy it is everything.
This movie is a story that teaches a lesson. It is about football, but it is about believing. Never giving up. Always giving it your all.
Rudy is a movie that gives us something to believe in. Believe. -
gaknight727 December 2006As a long time Georgia Tech fan, you would think I wouldn't like this movie since we are the focus of the climatic scene in the movie (the losing team), however, that's not the case. I found the movie well acted, inspiring and entertaining.
There is one glitch, however. Since the movie purports to show a "real" game between Tech and ND I offer this: This is a small but interesting inaccuracy. The Georgia Tech Quarterback portrayed in the movie is wearing number "19", a factual impossibility because NO Georgia Tech player ever wears #19. That number was worn by freshman sensation and AA Clint Castleberry who played at Tech in 1941, then went off to WWII, was shot down off the coast of N. Africa while on a bombing mission and never recovered. In his honor, the #19 was retired and is never to be worn by any Tech player. -
samone83200327 September 2006I saw this movie for the first time when I was in middle school some years back. Back then they showed every student this movie in the seventh grade, but I really fell in love with it. I remember just being in awe and really getting into it.Especially seeing as I'm a girl and girls don't like football or sports movies. But its one really transcends genders. The music really plays a key part and can move you to tears. The acting was spot on and its impossible not to identify with Rudy.Its the type of movie that when someone says they don't really care for it, you're like"That's blasphemy!" How could you not like it? Plus there are some great appearances by some movie stars, before they made it big. Every time I watch this movie or hear the music, I'am inspired.
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ghent110 July 2021The movie was duly written, shot, scored and directed. My issue is rather with the (true) story. I fail to see what's so uplifting about someone failing to face reality (he's not made to be an American football player) even when it becomes absurd and then making a whole career of giving motivation speeches about it. I guess I'm a bit too European for this kind of film. Marvelous Jerry Goldsmith score. One might say: as usual.
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don_the_bomb27 May 2002RUDY is the greatest football movie of all time. Wait, did I say 'football movie'? I meant movie. Period. Between the gut-wrenching acting by Sean Astin, tear-jerking moments of the climax, the miraculous true story of a short man fighting to make his lifelong dreams come true, you'll be rooting for Rudy throughout the film. Rudy's dream is a selfless act of triumph that can do nothing but good for the entire human race. You can't help but ride right along with Rudy for the roller-coaster of emotions that ensues, leading up to the greatest moment of his life, a moment that will resonate in the very fiber of your being. This movie shows that dreams really can come true. If you put your mind (and body) to it, and if you have a big enough heart, you too can accomplish anything! After watching this movie, I was inspired to try just that much harder at everything I do, in hopes of one day becoming half the man that Rudy is. This movie is genuine, heart-felt emotion that will touch the inner depths of your soul. From the biggest person to the smallest, one and all will be reaching for the tissues after enjoying, nay, living, every moment of this film. Warning: don't watch the movie alone. You'll want the extra arms in the room for when you're hugging each other in celebration, and an extra voice erupting with cheers for the single greatest movie hero of all time: RUDY.
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bkoganbing5 January 2010Sean Astin stars in the true story of Daniel E. Ruettiger, aka Rudy who wanted more than anything else to play for Notre Dame's legendary Fighting Irish football team. To be part of the legend that is Notre Dame, the legend of Knute Rockne, George Gipp, The Four Horsemen, Frank Leahy, Johnny Lujack, Terry Brennan right up to when Astin entered the college with Ara Parseghian as the coach.
The right actor was cast in the lead, Sean Astin is short, but built like outdoor brick lavatory. Good enough for high school football where only a very few go on to college on athletic scholarships and those are big guys who might just make it in the professional leagues. But in Indiana, especially around South Bend, it's Notre Dame which is the be all, end all for football. Very similar in culture that way to southern towns, but with a Catholic twist to it.
We see young Rudy listening to records of Knute Rockne's fighting speeches and imitating them. If memory serves the one he's listening to is the same one Pat O'Brien used in Knute Rockne - All American.
Astin actually makes the team when he impresses everyone with his grit and heart. And he proves to be more than a mascot type, he's an inspiration to his teammates and to the audience watching Rudy.
Look for fine performances from Ned Beatty as his blue collar father, Robert Prosky as a sympathetic priest/member of the Notre Dame faculty and Charles S. Dutton who is maintenance worker and former member of the Fighting Irish fallen on some hard times.
Rudy's a very old fashioned film, the kind Hollywood used to make in abundance, but sadly not any more. Great viewing for football fans of all ages. -
flackjacket13 September 2013The most amazing thing about this movie is that I didn't slip into a long term coma before the end. In fact, the other night I painted the living room... and I have to say, watching the paint dry was more entertaining than this film.
The entire script is non eventful. The acting is shallow and one dimensional. I think a cardboard cutout would have been more convincing in the lead role. And the ending is totally predictable (if you can make it to the end without falling asleep). It could have been a great story, but somehow they've managed to turn a potentially inspiring story into something more boring than watching a Bob Ross show in slow motion.
Icing on the cake, is the grandiose sound track. It just doesn't match what your viewing. There's nothing happening and the overly orchestrated background music sounds as if something incredible is going on. When in fact, nothing vital to the "underdog defeats the world" plot is going on. And sad thing is, the underdog is somebody you don't really care about, or can relate to and by the end of the film you wish he would just go away. -
Boyo-23 August 1999I found the movie to be inspirational, a little cliched and always interesting. Sean Astin made me believe in the character he played and I also enjoyed Charles S. Dutton. You know how the movie will end, unless you were born yesterday, but its still satisfying and I wasn't ashamed to shed a tear....
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film-spartan33324 October 2005hey everyone..I was just thinking about it and Jerry Goldsmith's score for Rudy has got to be one of the best composed. It is not a very complex score but has such memorable moments and themes. I am a huge John WIlliams fan...love all his scores...but i daresay Rudy's music is probably my favorite...it moves me every time i listen to it. If anyone else feels this way or even just likes it please respond! Or just what is your favorite music score? Jerry Goldsmith isn't even one of my favorite composers and I have always thought...(and i know you guys will disagree)..that this score should have been nominated at the Oscars! Its something that has always bothered me!...Let me know what you think!
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mycannonball7 August 2008There aren't a lot of movies that I watch more than once, and there are very few that I watch many times. This is one of those movies that I have seen almost a dozen times over the years, and I never get sick of it.
"Rudy" is the classic underdog story. Rudy, played with strength and vulnerability by Sean Astin, is an underdog in football because of his small size, and he's an underdog in school because he has to work twice as hard to get the good grades. He'is a hard worker with a big heart whose had his share of pain in life, so an audience member I celebrate when he does & feel sad when he does.
This film has all the right pieces a great story inspired by a true one, beautiful directing, a fantastic musical score, great football scenes, and emotional punch. This is definitely my favorite sports movies, and it is one of my top 10 all-around movies. It is inspirational and moving, AND it is entertaining! -
sexyboynm17 December 2016As a younger viewer,I admit I enjoyed this film.As an older,more skeptical one,I have a different perspective.It's a Hollywood Horatio Alger story of how one can achieve their goals with determination and pluck.
Well,I would love a date with THE FLASH's Danielle Panabaker However,I don't think any level of determination will get me said date but rather arrested,a restraining order and an ass kicking.
He did not work at the mill for four years but rather was in the Navy for two years and then worked at the mill. He should have been able to use his GI Bill benefits to pay Holy Cross tuition.
https://espn.go.com/page2/s/merron/021202.html
Second,Rudy was a poor advocate for his own cause.He was not 5 nothing and 100 nothing but 5'6" and 185 lbs.Yet,he played defensive line and was a shoving dummy until the last minute of the last game of his career.He should have lobbied to play special teams,third down defensive back or third down running back;more playing time and possible pro scout attention.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Ruettiger
Lastly,like many of our "heroes," Rudy has feet of clay. In 2011,he settled SEC claims of running a pump and dump scheme;energy drink company he ran. Think of the movie BOILER ROOM.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/16/business/la-fi-1217-sec- rudy-20111217
Watch with a critical eye... -
almagz11 May 2006Rather than repeat the many parallels to Rocky etc., or concentrate on the underdog prevails theme which is obvious, Rudy's value reaches beyond himself. Football is a team sport and though Rudy may become a mediocre component of the team from a strictly athletic point of view, his dedication and doggedness actually provide the team with an intangible ingredient.
The inspirational speeches Rudy practices repeating early on are more or less done as a fan of Notre Dame. His efforts when actually there transcend the fan and become inspirational by example. The story may be rather simple and the ending predictable, but what's wrong with a true-life based account that makes one feel good? A movie I would recommend dragging one's children to see. They may not like or understand football, but that is not what it is really about. It is about values, and good ones at that.
The chances of this being shown on MTV are slim. -
atk927 September 2013I guess it is just assumed that every Notre Dame fan likes the movie Rudy. I don't, so I guess that makes me an anomaly. Now that I've got that out of the way, this movie does a good job with playing the underdog card. The acting is good, and it does not detract in almost any of the scenes. An exception may be some of the football player actors. Slightly clunky lines and delivery there, but nothing that derails the narrative. Also, the cinematography is great; this is a very beautiful looking film. I also think the movie did a good job of capturing the feeling of the University of Notre Dame on football Saturday.
So why do I not like this movie? The based on a true story claim. Look, I get that Hollywood needs to take certain liberties with the facts to make it a better product, but this movie is an instance where it just goes too far. I don't actually know much about Rudy's personal life, I am referring more to the actual finale of the movie. There are plenty of accounts of the inaccuracies of the ending game and buildup, so I won't go into it. And while I don't like some of the liberties taken with facts, I HATE the depiction of Dan Devine in this movie. This movie didn't need to have an antagonist. It is incredibly lazy how they wrote him to be a stereotypical jerk who won't let the protagonist succeed at any cost. Devine was nice guy in real life who became a convenient scapegoat for this smaltzy movie. That is absolutely TERRIBLE writing. -
deadkerouac24 November 1999"Rudy" is an inspiring film. Rudy not only had to make the football team, he also had to get good grades so he could transfer to the University of Notre Dame in the first place. Great performances from the major actors. Also, great relationship theme between Rudy and his two major friends, the big D-Bob (Jon Favreau of "Swingers") and the black Fortune (Charles S. Dutton).
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Bryan-155 August 1998This movie looks and feels like some dramas of yesteryear. It has the old -fashioned good feeling at the end. There are great performances all the way around especially from Sean Astin who plays the title character. You really want Rudy to succeed and when he does you can't help but get a tear in your eye. This movie represents the innocence of college football and college in general. It's a message that says having the will to succeed can pay off in the end.
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classicsoncall9 January 2020A truly inspirational story of Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger, who's persistence and determination earned him a spot on the Notre Dame football team. But man, talk about jumping through hoops to achieve one's dream. Personally, I don't see how the under-sized Rudy managed to take the pounding he did in practice without suffering myriad broken bones and concussions. It didn't look like the practice squads let up any as Rudy took his share of hits, effectively getting right up again to come back for more. Sean Astin turns in a determined and heart warming performance as the title character, intent on acquiring a goal that virtually everyone in his inner circle 'knew' was unattainable. Such is the power of holding a desire in complete faith and assurance, to the extent of giving up everything else in order to pursue that one, seemingly impossible goal. What was impressive as well was the way the Notre Dame players offered up their own spot in the final game of the season's line-up to allow Rudy his very last chance to get into a game. even if it meant sitting the bench. Whether it happened the way it was portrayed or not, I had to feel somewhat disappointed in coach Dan Devine (Chelcie Ross) for not sharing the team's compassion and loyalty to their indefatigable teammate in that final game. It wouldn't have killed him to show some support for a guy who in turn supported Notre Dame in every way possible. Although the film is more than a couple decades old as I write this, it's nice to know that the real life 'Rudy' Ruettiger is still alive at the age of seventy one, and has served as inspiration for many others to follow. As was mentioned by various characters in the film, we could all benefit from more Rudy's in the world.
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I must say I felt dissatisfied and disappointed after watching this movie..It was so hyped up and boy did it fail to live up to the hype...BTW if Rudy was that good ,both coaches would have found a way to include him in the starting team regardless of his size...I also detest the portrayal of Dan Devine(The head coach at the end)..Being changed to be a true life story..it's so unfair to The actual Dan Devine to be portrayed as some jerk who wouldn't let our "Hero" play some ball..In the real life situation however it was Dan Devine who actually decided to give Rudy a chance..it had nothing to do with Rudy agitating for it..or his team mates' symbolic gesture...