Rudy 1993

Stephen Holden, New York Times: For all its patness, the movie also has a gritty realism that is not found in many higher-priced versions of the same thing, and its happy ending is not the typical Hollywood leap into fantasy. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: [A] well-crafted piece of middle-American uplift. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The cheers in the audience at the end were genuine, which is testimony to the likability (although not necessarily the quality) of the film. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Astin's performance is so self-effacing, so focused and low-key, that we lose sight of the underdog formula and begin to focus on this dogged kid who won't quit. And the last big scene is an emotional powerhouse, just the way it's supposed to be. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Directed with composure, but no great fervour, the film's conspicuously uninterested in American football, and much concerned with testing the limits and the resilience of the American dream. Read more

Leonard Klady, Variety: Read more

Norman Chad, Washington Post: The film is so uplifting, I felt like calling up Lou Holtz for brunch. Read more

Richard Harrington, Washington Post: Indiana has been very good to director David Anspaugh and writer Angelo Pizzo. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Astin gives these familiar doings the charm they need, as he pushes towards a virtually impossible goal. Read more