63
Metascore
18 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The A.V. ClubKeith PhippsThe A.V. ClubKeith PhippsA 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.
- Brave, funny and thoroughly irreverent.
- 80Dallas ObserverAndy KleinDallas ObserverAndy KleinBoth 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.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertA satire with the reckless courage to take on both sides in the abortion debate.
- 75ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliHas its share of bitingly funny moments, and some of the comedy is quite inventive.
- 75USA TodayMike ClarkUSA TodayMike ClarkAn 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]
- 75Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittAlexander 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.
- 60TimeRichard CorlissTimeRichard CorlissPayne 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]
- 30Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumPayne 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.
- 30Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonThe 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.