Poster for Rudy
Jesse Pasternack defines why audiences cheer for the Hoosier classic and its deep humanity.
There’s a lot to admire about Rudy. I adore its brilliant structure and memorable dialogue by screenwriter and Indiana University alum Angelo Pizzo, the fantastic blocking and imagery by director David Anspaugh (who also graduated from IU and met Pizzo there), and the excellent performances from the entire cast. But more than anything, I adore how many obstacles life throws in the path of its protagonist and how hard he works to get his brief yet glorious moment of triumph.
Rudy is based on the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger (Sean Astin), a working-class young man whose one dream in life has been to play football for the University of Notre Dame. His dream seems like an unlikely one due to his low grades, small stature, and lack of support from his father Daniel Ruettiger, Sr. (Ned Beatty) and brother Frank (Scott Benjaminson). But Rudy resolves to pursue his goal by moving to South Bend, where he enrolls at Holy Cross College and works on improving his grades so he can transfer to Notre Dame. Rudy may receive many blows in the case of his pursuit of playing football for his dream school but, with the help of his friend D-Bob (Jon Favreau in his first film role) and the support of his mentor Fortune (Charles S. Dutton), he slowly but surely moves towards beating the odds.
Daniel Ruettiger, Sr. (Ned Beatty) gently discouraging his son
Many people remember this film as being optimistic and heartwarming. But Pizzo and Anspaugh anchor their ultimate message that dreams are worth following in a thematic base of frustration and tribulation. The supporting characters repeatedly discourage Rudy for reasons that range from practical (as in a moving monologue that Beatty brilliantly performs about how his father’s pursuit of his own dream bankrupted his family) to mean-spirited (as in the many taunts he endures from almost everyone in his hometown). It often feels like there are more scenes devoted to the challenges that Rudy has to overcome than his victories themselves. For me, this attitude is best represented by something Rudy’s friend Pete (Christopher Reed) tells him when he is trying to cheer him up: “Well, you know what my dad always said. ‘Having dreams is what makes life tolerable.’” The key part of that line for me is “tolerable.” Not “wonderful,” or “great,” but “tolerable,” as in making something more endurable or just a little more enjoyable. It’s that recognition of life’s darker side which makes Rudy’s later victories — even ones as ordinary as getting good grades or a job at Notre Dame Stadium — feel as exciting as if he walked on the moon.
Sean Astin as Rudy
One of the best moments which illustrates how the frustrations of life can make achieving a goal feel tremendously thrilling involves the subplot concerning Rudy’s desire to transfer to Notre Dame. Pizzo perfectly paces Rudy’s receival of his rejection letters (three total) in a way that makes you share in his increasing nervousness that he will never get into Notre Dame. When Rudy finally gets that acceptance letter, you don’t celebrate with him just because he has achieved a crucial part of his dream. Rather, because you have shared in the frustration and anxiety which have shadowed Rudy for years, you feel his relief almost as palpably as you feel your own.
Even though Rudy eventually achieves something truly great in the film’s final minutes, it’s his persistence that sticks with you long after the final credits have rolled. It is a quality we should all emulate and try to use to pursue our own dreams and, in doing so, make life more tolerable.
Rudy will be screened as a new Director’s Cut on April 18 at IU Cinema with director David Anspaugh, writer Angelo Pizzo, and subject Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger scheduled to be present. All tickets have been distributed for this event, but there will be a standby line.