Rudy (1993)

By Greg
Score 7/10

 Although I am not a fan of football, with all the playoffs in the NFL going on, I felt inspired to write about one of the most inspirational football film of the 90's. Starring Sam Gamgee/ Sean Astin as real life underdog Daniel D. "Rudy" Ruettiger. He did successfully play with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during their final game of the 1975 season.

The film is the harrowing tale of Rudy, a boy with a dream, a dream to play for Notre Dame. Working hard to earn the money and studying so he can make the grades, its an uplifting story of how anyone can achieve their goals.

Although the film is a standard drama, with the actual sports as the underlying guide through the story its how no matter what, Rudy just wants this one goal. Mostly to prove to himself and his family that he can do it. His brother Frank (Scott Benjaminson) is defiant at telling Rudy that he can't will never play for Notre Dame. His father, Daniel Sr. (Ned Beatty) believes his son, but doesn't want him to waste the years chasing a dream. Coming from a Steel town, where his father works along with his best friend Pete, like most men, they idolize Notre Dame. Pete is killed in an accident at the mill and this sparks the interest to leave town before it sucks him in. 

Having rejection from Notre Dame, Rudy goes to Holy Cross a junior college near Notre Dame. Of course this is when we meet the encouraging individuals to aid in Rudy's conquest. First is Father Cavanaugh (Robert Prosky) he meets Rudy at Holy Cross and thinks at first he wants to be a priest, upon finding out the truth he gives Rudy advice to help him reach his goal. Then we meet D-Bob ( Jon Favreau) a graduate student at Notre Dame and a teaching assistant at the junior college. D-Bob notices that Rudy has a way of talking to the girls, he on the other hand in awkward socially. So for a trade of tutoring for aid with the ladies, D-Bob helps Rudy to make the grades necessary for his transition to Notre Dame. Finally and most important is Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) a head of grounds for the University of Notre Dame, most especially the pristine football field. With his hard work attitude, words of advice and giving Rudy a place to sleep/ the grounds building which Rudy sneaks into at night at first only and then given a key. It is Fortune that continues deep down to believe in Rudy despite repeated failure. Although voicing the popular disbelief, deep in his heart he wants what Rudy wants. Rudy only continues to persevere. Although continually having to be rejected and take rejection. Finally, he does get to practice with the team as a walk on. He is a player for the legendary Notre Dame, but it isn't until the final game and the final seconds, after a chant by the team, the fans, his family, D-Bob and even Fortune that he joins the team on field and gets to play.

Its is a harrowing tale of inspiration, if that can't be stressed enough. I too have dreams, not football related, but they are on hold. I'm currently taking care of and fulfilling dreams right now. Even having this blog is another thing that can be check marked. I don't plan on going anywhere, so I still have plenty of time. Rudy was one of those films that I never felt compelled to watch, but over the years I caught moments, i knew the story and finally decided to sit and watch it from start to finish. It really is not that bad, at least not what I thought 19 years ago. Its a worthwhile tale of what one can do when they have a dream and decide to do everything they can until it is achieved. 

As an added note this film, Vince Vaughn has a cameo, its his first film.

Starring: Sean Astin, Ned Beatty, Jon Favreau and Charles S. Dutton

Directed by: David Ansbaugh

Budget/Gross: N/A / $22,750,363

IMDB Rating: 7.3/10

Tomatometer: 83% critics and 88% audience liked it