Bolted upright out of a sound sleep at 2:30 this morning with the realization that both the gals haunting my nightmares had been played by Laura Dern in two different movies! Laura Dern as Reality TV's own Katherine Harris, the ambitious, over-coiffured local politician thrust opportunistically into the international media spotlight by the Republican party, in "Recount" (2008). And Laura Dern as the clueless unwed pregnant teenager girl manipulated by pro-choice lefties and anti-abortion Christians -- cynically spun as an agenda-defining "symbol" by all sides -- in "Citizen Ruth," directed by Alexander Payne ("Election," "Sideways," "About Schmidt"). I recommend both these movies ("Citizen Ruth" especially) as primers for understanding what's going on right now.
As long as we're making associations, allow me to offer this: McCain = Mr. Burns. Yeah, it's a bit strained, but consider: Both are old as hell, both love nuclear power (or should I say new-clear?), neither knows how to use a computer, and both of their mothers -- astoundingly -- are still alive!
Ahhh...Citizen Ruth. The most underappreciated movie in Alexander Payne's filmography (in fact I think it is mainly known for being underappreciated).
The only difference between the two roles for me is this: Katharine Harris is a real life villain who knocked thousands of black voters off the roll to further her political career. She sucks and Laura Dern perfectly captured that and thus "Recount" takes a side even though many claim it doesn't
I enjoy how Citizen Ruth never takes sides in the culture wars and shows both sides as being manipulative, exploitative, and self-serving (this is undoubtedly true). But like Swing Vote itrefuses to take sides and ultimately chickens out. Sure sometimes it seems like choosing between the two camps is like deciding to vote for "a douchebag or a turd sandwich" but those are the breaks. As Rush once said "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
The very first thing I thought when I saw Sarah Palin speaking was Laura Dern's portrayal of Katherine Harris. I even mentioned it on another forum on August 30th.
Thank you for calling attention to Citizen Ruth, a film I've always found to be quite well done, and very revealing beneath its almost deceptively simple surface. And Dern's performance undoubtedly makes the movie. I certainly think it's Payne's best, as the rest of his films have been a little on the smug side (though I still adore Election, too).
Citizen Ruth is indeed brilliant. It's rare to see the abortion issue presented in a way that makes BOTH sides incredibly unsympathetic. It's even more compelling since at heart I think both sides on this issue are sincere in their argument. He could have used any "hot button" issue to make his point, but nothing stirs up people's emotions like abortion.
And Dern was perfectly cast. What a great actress. You never see her acting. You get the feeling she just wandered into the movie. There's something very natural about her that I've always loved.
And real life Mom Dianne Ladd played her Mom in this film.
Clinic Nurse " Let me just ask you something Ruth. Have you ever taken the time to think about what it means to have an abortion?"
Ruth " Yeah, um, it means that I don't have to go to jail and it means I don't have to have another baby and it means that I can start getting my life together...."
Clinic Nurse " I, I, I ,I. Don't you think that's all just a little selfish?"
Bit of a stretch calling Laura Dern in "Citizen Ruth" and "unwed pregnant teenager," given that Dern was 28-ish at the time.
"Dawson Creek" casting, I know.