 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Rudy
- Review Date: November 13, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1993
Common Sense Media says
Inspiring sports film about a real life underdog.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that some scenes of bitter disappointment and brutality on the football field might be inappropriate for younger or more sensitive kids. The movie extols the virtues of perserverance and hard work.
What's the story?
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger (Sean Astin) doesn't want to follow his father and brother to the local steel mill when he graduates. He wants what he's wanted since he was a little boy, to play football for Notre Dame. Nothing -- not weak grades, not his small size or lack of athletic ability, not even his relatives' and teachers' conviction that he'll never make it -- is going to deter him. The path to realizing his dream is littered with seemingly endless obstacles and naysayers. But a kindly priest at Notre Dame gets him into a neighboring junior college, a Notre Dame student named D-Bob helps him improve his grades, and a hard-edged groundskeeper (Charles Dutton) gives him a job (and a bed) in the football stadium. With their help, and his own uncrushable will, Rudy gets closer to achieving his dream.
Is it any good?
RUDY's endless climaxes and disappointments, subtle humor, strong characters, and excellent pacing keep it focused and engaging. It's a movie about perseverance and grueling hard work. Rudy is an unimpressive daydreamer, a working-class kid for whom education is a stumbling block, a hurdle that must be cleared in order to realize his dream to play football for Notre Dame.
For all of Rudy's rage and frustration and doubt, he has no sticky self-pity, and Jon Favreau adds the necessary humorous touch as the friend who tutors Rudy in exchange for assistance with meeting girls. The strong supporting cast also includes Ned Beatty as Rudy's emotionally distant, but proud father. There's much for kids to gain from this movie, not just in Rudy's unyielding determination, but in the personal sacrifices his teammates are willing to make for him. More than the wildest science fiction or fantasy story, Rudy will make you believe that anything is possible.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about other sports movies. What is appealing about them? Do you ever doubt the outcome? What kind of feelings do they stir up? How does this one compare to other sports films you've seen?
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Teen, 14 years old
February 22, 2010
AGE
good
we watched this in school
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Parent of 6, 10, and 10 year old
February 17, 2010
AGE
Not for 9 year-olds or 10-year-olds and even 11-year-olds.
I rented this from netflix based on the general review and recommendation that the movie was on for 9 and up. However, right before we sat down to watch the movie, I came to this site and read the parents' reviews and realized there was far more swearing in the movie than indicated. We ended up watching the olympics instead, and I sent the movie back unwatched. This is the second time that Common Sense has rated a movie OK for ages 9-10, but that had a lot of swearing in it (The Right Stuff was FILLED with swearing and I can't believe it was rated OK for 10 and up.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
For any person who wants/wanted to be a star
I have watched this movie at least a dozen times and every time it keeps me enthralled to the very end. I know how the movie is going to end, but Sean Astin so vividly protrays Rudy you not only see his disappointments, you feel them. While he might be better known for the "Lord of the Rings", Astin absolutely shines in this movie. The supporting cast take to their parts like few movies I have seen. This is an absolute not miss for anyone. You don't have to be a sports fan as the sports aspect is secondary to Rudy's quest to be a part of the team. The movie will make you feel part of Rudy's life and celebrate his success.
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Parent of 10 year old
February 5, 2011
AGE
NOT appropriate for 9+!!!
Absolutely inappropriate language for children. I was shocked to hear GD many times, P---Y, BS, when the review from CS had nothing mentioned about language. I did not read the parent reviews first so that was a huge mistake on my part. I will do that in the future and not just trust the CS review. Good movie but the language ruins it for the kids.
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Kid, 8 years old
January 22, 2011
AGE
Perfect for ten years
A really good movie in the beginning rudys brother dies while working
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Parent of 9 and 10 year old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I winced
I agree with all the descriptions of this being a movie of self reliance, making your dreams happen, and on and on, but it gets a big goose egg from me for being rated PG... In no uncertain terms, based on language used, the movie should have been rated PG-13. I would love for my 8 and 9 year olds to watch this movie, but there is no way I will let them, factoring in the unnecessary foul language.
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Adult
September 25, 2009
AGE
Beware of Language
Yes, this movie has a tremendously positive theme. I loved this movie. However, I agree with previous reviewers concerned about the language involved. While the use of profane language might be perfectly appropriate for the college age characters in the film, it is not appropriate for my pre-teen children. I'll save this one for when my kids are a little older.
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Adult
March 9, 2009
AGE
Great Movie but plenty of profanity as well
I was surprised that Common Sense had this rated for 9 year olds. It's a great movie, but unfortunately, like so many movies, it is unnecessarily filled with a surprising number of basic profanities by multiple characters in casual conversation throughout. Though it didn't have the F-bomb, it had an ample amount of "Bullsh _ _, GDs, etc." I've never met anyone who approves of talking to 9 year olds like this so the review shouldn't support such exposure either in my opinion.
I made the mistake of trusting that the Commons Sense review with the "Grey" box for language (with no comments included) meant that there were no profanities worth mentioning...unfortunately, I learned later that my son and his friend got an ear full.
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Parent of 6 and 9 year old
July 29, 2010
AGE
Good film but LANGUAGE is an issue
The language should have absolutely been flagged more in the CM review. I did not expect so many swear words. Not appropriate for 9 or 10 yr olds. The overall message is good and I liked that my son enjoyed seeing a movie portrayed in a much earlier era.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 26, 2009
AGE
so boring
This is one of the most boring movies i've ever seen. I don't even like Notre Dame
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts, great boy role models, misfits and underdogs |
| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | David Anspaugh |
| Cast: | Charles S. Dutton, Jon Favreau, Sean Astin |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 112 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 13, 1993 |
| DVD release date: | September 26, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | mild language |
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