When I saw the topic of this week's contest, I just had to enter. There are few movies in my life that have made me break out in tears of joy, but Rudy is definitely one of them. Sean Astin, who plays the title character, is such an incredibly cool and lovable underdog in this film it's just impossible not to root for him. It's such a great story based on the real life of Daniel "Rudy" Reuttiger.
The story begins in the late 1960's in Rudy's hometown of Joliet, Illinois, with Rudy working in a steel mill with his dad (Ned Beatty) and his older brother. Both he and his dad are huge Notre Dame fans and Rudy dreams of attending the university and playing football. Alas, he lacks the grades and the money, as well as the athletic ability, to make his dream a reality. When his best friend is killed in an accident at the mill, Rudy decides life is too short and he's going to go after his dream.
With some help along the way, Rudy enrolls at Holy Cross and eventually gets into Notre Dame where he immediately tries out for the football team, hoping to make it as a walk-on. Against all odds, the Coach gives him a spot on the practice squad where he gets slaughtered day-in and day-out by the top tier athletes he's going against. But he never quits. He just keeps getting up again and trying harder the next play.
His ultimate dream becomes to run out of the tunnel, wearing the uniform, and onto the field where his boss and friend, Fortune, is head groundskeeper. Fortune has never seen a game despite being on the field every day and Rudy extracts a promise that he'll be there when (not if) "I run onto that field".
Suffice it to say, the ending of this movie is one of the coolest things you will ever see. I've got goosebumps just thinking about it. I don't want to get any more detailed because I don't want to ruin it for those of you who have never seen it.
From his interaction with his family and friends at home, especially his dad, to the friend he makes at Holy Cross, to the relationship he develops with Fortune, to the football players ultimate show of respect, this movie will have you rooting for him the entire way. It just keeps building and building to a spectacular climax of pride and joy with an emotional intensity I still find hard to fathom.
(The "real" Rudy Ruettiger in 1975)
This whole movie is about overcoming adversity and never letting it stop you from reaching your dream. It's an awesome, awesome film and I can't recommend it enough. Do yourself a favor and watch this one when you need a little inspiration.
Incidentally, for you comedy buffs out there, Jon Favreau and Vince Vaugh have their first acting roles in this film. Also, it should be mentioned that the script was written by Angelo Pizzo who also created Hoosiers, another great real-life sports movie.
This review was written as part of the CineTVContest described in the link.
Posted using CineTV