Citizen Ruth

Abortion, of course, is no laughing matter, but this gutsy, politically incorrect comedy dares to satirize the zealots on both sides of the debate. Laura Dern gives a fearless performance as Ruth Stoops, who becomes a cause celebre when militant pro-life and pro-choice groups battle for her soul and conscience. The joke is on them: Ruth possesses neither. Her exasperating unrepentant and reprobate ways expose the hypocrites and users that rally around her. Recommended. (K. Lee Benson)[DVD Review-- June 17, 2003--Miramax, 105 min., R, $19.99--Boasting a sharp, clean transfer, Alexander Payne's (About Schmidt) debut film looks great on DVD, and the disc features an engaging scene-specific commentary track with Payne, writer Jim Taylor, Laura Dern, and production designer Jane Ann Stewart. Bottom line: Not exactly features-laden, this is nevertheless a very solid offering of a wonderfully satiric film at a budget-conscious price of $19.99.]