Laura Dern Turned Down Many Iconic Roles, but Agreed to Make This Alexander Payne Drama: "Very Brave Choice"

Laura Dern has never been afraid to experiment, choosing projects that other stars of her caliber would shy away from.

Following the resounding success of Jurassic Park, the world of big Hollywood blockbusters opened up to her – she was offered roles in movies that later became megahits, grossing billions of dollars.

However, inspired by Martin Scorsese's advice, Dern decided to build a career not just as a working actress but also as an artist, creating a coherent body of work that reflects her principles.

Laura Dern Says Playing in 'Citizen Ruth' Was a "Very Brave Choice"

At a time when everyone expected Laura Dern to star in another high-profile project, she made a choice that many considered insane – she accepted the lead role in the debut film of the little-known director Alexander Payne.

That film was Citizen Ruth, a sharp satirical drama about a pregnant drug addict caught in a political scandal.

For the actress, fresh off the massive success of Jurassic Park, the moment of truth had arrived. Her agent understood her creative aspirations and supported her in making this difficult decision. The actress said:

“It was a very luxurious time, and I was being offered a lot of movies. I turned down a lot of things that were immensely successful.”

Rather than following the well-trodden path of commercial cinema, Dern chose a script in which the main character is a down-and-out drug addict with four children who lives in a trailer and breathes toxic substances:

“Instead, I chose to do Citizen Ruth, with a first-time writer and director, Alexander Payne. It was a seemingly very brave choice, but I had an agent, Judy Hofflund, who really got it.”

The actress called this role "life-changing" and admitted that Citizen Ruth confirmed her choice of path.

What Is 'Citizen Ruth' About?

The plot centers on Ruth, an uneducated, chronically drunk woman who has already given birth to four children, none of whom she is raising. After she is arrested for inhaling toxic fumes, she discovers she is pregnant again.

The judge offers her a deal: if she has an abortion, the charges will be dropped. However, two warring political forces intervene. A conservative, anti-abortion organization posts her bail and takes her under its wing, hoping to use her as a symbol of their cause.

The liberal feminist movement, which advocates for women's right to choose, immediately seizes the initiative, seeking to win Ruth over to their side. The woman finds herself at the center of a political bidding war.

'Citizen Ruth' Is a Cleverly Crafted Satire That Avoids the Pitfalls of Moralizing

Citizen Ruth is simultaneously provocative, funny, and poignantly human. In his directorial debut, Alexander Payne portrays his main character without embellishment or judgment.

Ruth is someone who has never had control over her life and is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, unsure of her true nature. Dern's portrayal of Ruth is so vibrant and multifaceted that we are compelled to react – her Ruth evokes revulsion, pity, and awkward laughter.

The filmmakers' portrayal of both sides of the conflict is particularly noteworthy – they don't divide the characters into "good" and "bad." Payne satirizes a society in which even the best intentions can devolve into violent extremism.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Citizen Ruth'?

• Citizen Ruth has 81% from critics and 74% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.0/10.

• On Letterboxd, Citizen Ruth scored 3.7/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Citizen Ruth'?

Citizen Ruth is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.