Based on a true story from 1975, ‘Rudy’ is a film about courage, gritty determination, and not giving up on your dreams. Rudy Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin, is an underachieving football player with dreams of attending the University of Notre Dame and playing on the football team. However, his grades were too low, he was too poor to afford college, and he lacked the athletic talent. He was undersized and not fast, but one thing he had was his heart. He fought his way through each obstacle, one at a time, onto the team with no scholarship. The chilling ending was a classic feel-good moment with the crowd chanting "Rudy Rudy Rudy."
In most underdog stories, the main character always comes through and leaves the field celebratory after carrying his/her team to victory. However, that’s not real life. Rudy comes off victorious here in another way. He wins the hearts and minds of his fellow teammates, his small town, and his family/friends. I believe the movie is so meaningful because there is a Rudy in everyone. The fact is not everyone can be a gifted athlete or born genius, but one doesn’t have to be. All one can do is give it their best by putting their heart and soul into whatever their dream is.
Would I recommend this? Yes. It’s an inspiring movie that wins you over. The story didn’t significantly deviate from the facts outside of a few minor changes, such as making the coach Dan Devine an antagonist. It was actually Devine who motivated Rudy and put in Rudy (you always need a bad guy, huh?). Another fact omitted was that Rudy was a Navy sailor after high school before saving up for college with financial help from his father.
Review by TheLazyReviewerBlockedParent2024-04-14T07:48:33Z
Film 165 (Goal: 300) of 2024:
Rudy is a beloved sports film about overcoming the odds - based on the real life figure Rudy Ruettiger (portrayed by Sean Astin, best known as Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings trilogy).
As I've mentioned in recent reviews, I adore sports movies. Sure, there are a lot of similarities between them, and usually if you've seen one, despite the sport, you've seen all of them. And while Rudy isn't any different, it does some things really well. Astin is very endearing, and it's easy to buy in for both his cause, and the challenges he faces. What I
Despite it's statue and love, I still don't think Rudy is better than the a lot of recent sports films I've watched. Not to shame Rudy but some recent films, like Brian Banks, 12 Mighty Orphans, American Underdog, Mystery Alaska, for example, I preferred over Rudy. But Rudy, similar to The Natural, Field of Dreams, Miracle, has this place in the upper echelon of American sports films.
What I really liked about Rudy is how small the stakes are, yet the drive of the protagonist is so great, despite this. He's not striving to win a Superbowl and make the Hall of Fame, he's not trying to join an NFL team, or win a State Championship. Rudy simply wants to achieve a family dream, of playing for Notre Dame for 1 game; maybe even just 1 play.
Despite what may have sounded like negativity earlier, there's some great scenes in this film. I'll try to err on the side of caution here but the team jerseys being presented to the coach in protest, the chant of the crowd, and that 1 play (if you know, you know). Rudy works again because it does the little things well and Sean Astin is very endearing.
If you're after a sports movie, you won't be disappointed with Rudy. I don't think it's the be-all, end-all of sports movies like some people present, but it's a very good addition to that genre.