Film Review: Rudy

Director: David Anspaugh

Based on the life of Daniel ''Rudy'' Ruettiger who always dreamed of playing American Football for the 'Fighting Irish' of Notre Dame University. It was the first film to be shot on campus since 1940 and Rudy is now a legend in Notre Dame folklore.

*spoiler alert*

Daniel ''Rudy'' Ruettiger (Sean Astin) always dreamed of going to Notre Dame and playing for the 'Fighting Irish' but was always too small to make it on a college scholarship as well as not being talented enough. After taking a job in the local steel mill with his Dad, he witnesses the death of one of his best friends and decides to follow his dream. He is helped by Father Cavanaugh (Robert Prosky) and D-Bob (Jon Favreau in his film debut) through Junior college so he has good enough grades to get into Notre Dame. He also gets a job maintaining the stadium with Fortune (Charles S.Dutton) who promises to watch his first ever game if Rudy ever dresses.

Rudy is a truly inspirational film, made all the better by the fact its quite closely based on real life. Sean Astin plays Rudy with unbound enthusiasm mirroring the real character who defied all the odds to play two downs for Notre Dame and be only the second ever play to be carried off the field by his team-mates. Charles S. Dutton is also superb as the groundskeeper who looks after Rudy by giving him a place to stay without ever showing Rudy how he feels about him till the end when he actually appears at a game.

Rudy convinces Fortune to give him a job as a Groundskeeper at the stadium

One of the most famous scenes from the movie is when numerous players lay their jersey on the desk of new head coach Dan Devine saying that Rudy can have their spot on the roster that day. It is a truly moving scene but is unfortunately not true although some players did speak with the coach about letting him play. The film does a great job of showing the sacrificies and hard work that Rudy makes to follow his dream rather than skip past it too quickly which makes the film all the better.

3.5/4 Inspirational movie about never giving up, can't help but feel good at the end.