Citizen Spoof

The opening scenes of Citizen Ruth reveal, in stark reality, the nightmarish life of people like Ruth Stoops. Ruth is a hapless addict who is caught in a cycle of self-destructive behaviors that have resulted in multiple arrests, illegitimate children, and alienation from her family. Homeless, pregnant, and arrested for the 16th time in one year, Ruth is back in court. When the judge asks Ruth whether she is able to comprehend the depths of irresponsibility of her behavior, he gets only a blank stare. The judge gives Ruth the choice of jail time or an abortion.

In jail, Ruth is "rescued" by a family of Christian fundamentalists, the Stoney's, who belong to a Pro-life organization called the Baby Savers. Little does Ruth know that she is to become an unsuspecting pawn in the battle between the Baby Savers and a diverse band of Pro-choice rebels.

When the Stoney's discover that a warm bed, Christian platitudes, and TLC are not enough to break Ruth's self-destructive cycle, she is taken in by the Pro-choice group, headed by Diane and Rachel, a feminist lesbian couple. What ensues is a self-serving, effort by both parties to influence Ruth's decision by promising her financial gain.

Although there are some interesting performances by a fine cast, all of the characters are incredibly stereotypical. Laura Dern, does a credible job as the sad misguided waif, Ruth. Mary Kay Place and Swoosie Kurtz also give strong performances as the the anti- heros of the Pro-life vs Pro- choice persuasions.

There is a very subtle undercurrent of dark humor in this film as evidenced by the Stoney's adolescent daughter, who despite her fundamentalist upbringing, is seen sneaking boys out of her bedroom in the morning and engaging in nocturnal partying escapades, with Ruth. A cameo performance by Dern's real life mother, Diane Ladd, also provides a comic scene.

However, it is difficult to find much humor in such controversial topics as addiction and abortion. The film does succeed in revealing the lowest common denominator of the extremist behaviors on both sides. What it fails to provide is any type of hope for victims, like Ruth, who are caught in the battle lines between these two polarized groups.