Parents' Guide to Rudy

Movie 1993 PG 112 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

By Scott G. Mignola , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

Inspiring sports film about a real-life underdog.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 16 parent reviews

Parents say the film is inspiring and showcases the theme of perseverance, but many express concern over its inappropriate language for younger audiences, suggesting it should be rated PG-13 instead of PG due to the frequent use of profanity. While some families find the movie suitable for older children, numerous parents warn that the language used is not appropriate for kids under 13, leading to a mix of appreciation for its message and disappointment in its content.inspiring messagelanguage concernsage appropriatenessparental guidance neededsuitable for teens
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age 10+

Based on 25 kid reviews

 

 

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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?

Our review:
Parents say ( 16 ):
Kids say ( 25 ):

This film's endless climaxes and disappointments, subtle humor, strong characters, and excellent pacing keep it focused and engaging. Rudy is a movie about perseverance and grueling hard work. Rudy is an unimpressive daydreamer, a working-class kid for whom education is a stumbling block -- it emerges he has dyslexia -- and a hurdle that must be cleared 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 only 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Rudy achieved his goal. How did he overcome the many obstacles that stood in his way? What can we learn from Rudy?

Movie Details

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