RUDY

REVIEWED BY ANNA T.

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: language

Rated:

It's a well known fact in my family that I'm not one who likes football. I’d much rather curl up with a favorite book in my room or enjoy a beautiful period film. Regardless of that, my Dad and brothers like the sport so when I saw Rudy on the library shelf I picked it up for them… and for a chance to see Sean Astin as someone other than Sam from Lord of the Rings.

As a young boy Rudy loved football…no, he adored it. He could rattle off names and calls at whim, and his one desire was to play someday for Notre Dame -- the fighting Irish. He religiously watched any Notre Dame games on the old black and white television and the dream grew even though encouragement was sparse for Rudy. Though high school his grades were not the best, but still the dream lived on. Rudy plays football all through his high school years, not the biggest player but always impassioned. He then graduates from high school, barely earning a diploma. He begins to work in the metal factory with his father and some school buddies. 

For his birthday his best friend gives him a Notre Dame jacket and Rudy is ecstatic. “I’m going to play for them one day!” His friend smiles and encourages Rudy to keep on dreaming.  Life goes on… Rudy works at the factory, visits the bar and spends time with his family. His fiancé is trying to find them a house in the meantime. Then one day something terrible happens. Rudy’s best friend is killed in a fiery explosion at the factory. At the funeral Rudy walks out and breaks his engagement off with his fiancé. He then disappears. He leaves saddened, yet ever clinging to his dream. Rudy ends up at the gates of Notre Dame in the wee hours of the morning. Eagerly he asks the security guard for someone to talk to regarding tuition. Instead of a school supervisor the security guard hands Rudy over to the local priest to talk some sense into him.

After the kind father hears Rudy’s story he makes a deal with him. If he’ll go to Holy Cross college and get his grades up then he can apply for Notre Dame. Rudy excitedly agrees and starts his first semester. Firstly he goes to visit the gigantic stadium and bugs the heck out of the keeper until he gets a job helping clean up and fix things in the stadium and locker rooms. Rudy makes a friend at Holy Cross who tutors him, and diligently Rudy brings his grades up. Soon when the semester is over Rudy applied for Notre Dame… hoping he'll be accepted. He is refused. Again Rudy takes another semester at Holy Cross… all the while hoping that eventually Notre Dame will take him and that one day he’ll be able to play football for the Fighting Irish. His dream will come true… someday.

The football scenes are brutal. Rudy gets beat up to pulp as he passionately plays the game. Injuries and blood abound. Language is spattered here and there and always cringe worthy. At least seven of GD, one each of Jesus and Christ and other minor profanities abound (mostly sh*t and a**). Rudy’s friend and tutor at Holy Cross has the most blasphemous mouth of them all. GD’s are heard constantly from his lips and he’s always begging Rudy to hook him up with a date. Rudy tries but is never entirely successful, and all the propositions are played for laughs and aren’t offensive. There is at least one crude term used by a coach. The Catholic faith is presented respectfully. The priest is kind and gives Rudy advice… he tells Rudy through all his years as a priest he's become sure of two things. "There is a God, and I am not Him."

Sean plays his part well, breathing life into Rudy, showing his passion for the game and his never ending dream that keeps him persisting and being diligent until his dream comes to pass. Rudy’s perseverance and relentless dreaming even when people are putting him down are admirable and good qualities. But really if one is going to live passionately for something, let us live for God and NOT a football game. This film does have a good heart, and Rudy’s pursuit of his dreams and never giving up are wonderful to see… but because of the language I wouldn’t jump to see it too quickly. If you love football or Sean Astin you would probably enjoy it. 

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