An irresponsible, drug-addicted, recently impregnated woman finds herself in the middle of an abortion debate when both parties attempt to sway her to their respective sides.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 3 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Laura Dern | ... |
Ruth Stoops
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| Swoosie Kurtz | ... |
Diane Siegler
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| Kurtwood Smith | ... |
Norm Stoney
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| Mary Kay Place | ... |
Gail Stoney
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| Kelly Preston | ... |
Rachel
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| M.C. Gainey | ... |
Harlan
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| Kenneth Mars | ... |
Dr. Charlie Rollins
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| David Graf | ... |
Judge Richter
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| Kathleen Noone | ... |
Nurse Pat
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| Tippi Hedren | ... |
Jessica Weiss
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| Burt Reynolds | ... |
Blaine Gibbons
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Lance Rome | ... |
Ricky, Ruth's Lover
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Jim Kalal | ... |
Tony Stoops
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Shea Degan | ... |
Arresting Officer
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Vince Morelli | ... |
Dr. George
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| Marilyn Tipp | ... |
Kathleen
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Lois Nemec | ... |
Sandy
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Tim Vandeberghe | ... |
Bail Clerk
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Sebastian Anzaldo III | ... |
Matthew Stoney
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| Alicia Witt | ... |
Cheryl Stoney
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Mick McDonald | ... |
Party Dude
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Okley Gibbs | ... |
Norm's Manager
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Roberta Larson | ... |
Briana
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Pam Carter | ... |
Fran
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Steve Wheeldon | ... |
Kirk
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Billie Barnhouse-Diekman | ... |
Concerned Woman
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John La Puzza | ... |
Concerned Man
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Susan Stern | ... |
Cindy Lindstrom
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Jeffrey L. Goos | ... |
News Anchor
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James Devney | ... |
Officer Iverson
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Tim Driscoll | ... |
Officer Bundy
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| Caveh Zahedi | ... |
Peter
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David Hirsch | ... |
Man #1
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Gail Erwin | ... |
Woman
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Tony Wike | ... |
Man #2
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Sherry Josand Fletcher | ... |
Lobby Woman
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Jim Delmont | ... |
Press Conference Reporter
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Dennis Grant | ... |
Don Mattox
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Will Jamieson | ... |
Surveillance Guy
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Jeremy Sczepaniak | ... |
Eric
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| Delaney Driscoll | ... |
Ruth's 'Sister'
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Robert O'Connell | ... |
Biker
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Judith Hart | ... |
Sarah Schneider
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Joan Pirkle | ... |
Dr. Milton
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Lorie Obradovich | ... |
Desk Nurse
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Joan Hennecke | ... |
Nurse
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| Michael Tourek | ... |
Volunteer Hit by Toilet Lid
(as Mike Tourek)
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Katrina Christensen | ... |
Jolene
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John Bell | ... |
Micah
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| Jeffery Thomas Johnson | ... |
Harlan's Biker Friend
(as Jeff Johnson)
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Fred Lovelace | ... |
Harlan's Biker Friend
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Ed Morehouse | ... |
Harlan's Biker Friend
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Jim Reinken | ... |
Harlan's Biker Friend
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Wm. J. Billy Bob Muddle III | ... |
Harlan's Biker Friend
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Rocky Danners | ... |
Indigent Crackhead (scenesDeleted)
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| Scott Kurz |
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Sherrie Leslie | ... |
Background Extra
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Robert Dudley | ... |
Curious Man (uncredited)
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| Diane Ladd | ... |
Ruth's Mother (uncredited)
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Jeff Lewis | ... |
News Anchor (uncredited)
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Sherman Monahan | ... |
Pro-life Man (uncredited)
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| Peg Sheldrick | ... |
Trial observer (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Alexander Payne | ||
Written by
| Alexander Payne | ... | (written by) & |
| Jim Taylor | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Cathy Konrad | ... | producer |
| Andrew Stone | ... | co-producer |
| Cary Woods | ... | producer |
| Michael Zimbrich | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Rolfe Kent | ||
Cinematography by
| James Glennon | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Kevin Tent | ||
Editorial Department
| Damienne Caron | ... | editing intern |
| Tom Dailey | ... | assistant editor |
| David Hamme | ... | colorist |
| Barney Limo | ... | second assistant editor |
| Ron Radvinsky | ... | third assistant editor |
| Susan K. Weiler | ... | apprentice editor (as Susan Weiler) |
| Jim J. Williams | ... | color timer (as Jim Williams) |
| Barbara Riley | ... | negative cutter (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Lisa Beach | ||
Production Design by
| Jane Ann Stewart | ||
Set Decoration by
| Lisa Denker | ||
Costume Design by
| Tom McKinley | ||
Makeup Department
| Lisa Fahrenkrug | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Stacy Heatherly | ... | additional hair stylist / additional makeup artist |
| Tammy Lema | ... | additional makeup artist |
| Marsha Lewis | ... | hair stylist |
| Brian McManus | ... | hair stylist: Mr. Reynolds / makeup artist: Mr. Reynolds |
| Angela Moos | ... | makeup artist (as Angela Margolis-Moos) |
Production Management
| Scott Cohn | ... | unit production manager |
| Pamela Winn-Barnett | ... | post-production supervisor (as Pamela Winn Barnett) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Carla Bowen | ... | second assistant director |
| Heather Kritzer | ... | first assistant director |
| Jim Taylor | ... | second unit director |
| Basti Van Der Woude | ... | second assistant director |
| Lynn K. D'Angona | ... | first assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Jack Clowers | ... | leadman |
| Paula Clowers | ... | swing gang |
| Fabio Fernandez | ... | assistant property master |
| Preston Fisher | ... | set dresser |
| Jeffrey M. O'Brien | ... | property master (as Jeffrey O'Brien) |
| Dave Peterson | ... | swing gang |
| Tracy Thies | ... | art department coordinator |
Sound Department
| Gregg Barbanell | ... | foley artist |
| James Bolt | ... | re-recording mixer (as Jim Bolt) |
| Ricardo Broadus | ... | sound effects editor |
| Greg W. Carlson | ... | stage engineer |
| Carrie Cashman | ... | sound loader (as Carrie Minkler) |
| Harry Cohen | ... | sound designer |
| Paul Curtis | ... | dialogue assistant |
| Andrew DeCristofaro | ... | adr editor / supervising sound editor |
| William Dotson | ... | dialogue editor |
| Mark Elsebusch | ... | sound effects editor |
| David Farmer | ... | sound effects editor |
| Tim Gedemer | ... | sound effects editor |
| Brian Geer | ... | foley mixer (as Brian J. Geer) |
| Tim Gomillion | ... | sound recordist |
| Dan Jensen | ... | dialogue assistant |
| Jason King | ... | dialogue editor |
| Michael Lyle | ... | foley editor (as Mike Lyle) |
| Greg Meader | ... | sound effects editor |
| Paul Menichini | ... | sound effects editor |
| Mike Moser | ... | sound effects editor (as Michael Moser) |
| Vince Nicastro | ... | foley artist |
| Jay Patterson | ... | sound mixer |
| Thomas Pinney | ... | boom operator (as Tom Pinney) |
| Tina Raskin | ... | adr recordist |
| Robert Reed | ... | assistant sound engineer |
| Sergio Reyes | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Paul Rodriguez | ... | manager of sound services |
| Ann Scibelli | ... | supervising sound effects editor |
| B. Tennyson Sebastian II | ... | re-recording mixer |
| D. Chris Smith | ... | sound effects editor |
| Cathie Speakman | ... | sound editor |
| Gary Sula-Goff | ... | foley assistant |
| Eric Thompson | ... | adr mixer |
| Jeff Vaughn | ... | adr recordist |
| Marty Vites | ... | dialogue editor |
| Brandon Walker | ... | adr editor |
| Robert Webber | ... | foley editor |
| Harry Woolway | ... | sound effects editor |
| James Wright | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby |
| Mark Allen | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
| Jonathan Karp | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Wes Clowers | ... | special effects supervisor |
Stunts
| Dean Raphael Ferrandini | ... | stunts (as Dean Ferrandini) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Steve Abariotes | ... | swing electric grip (as Stephen Abariotes) |
| Andy Anderson | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Dan Auerbach | ... | additional first assistant camera |
| Kevin Brennan | ... | gaffer |
| Kenneth Estes | ... | video playback operator |
| Gene Fisher | ... | dolly grip |
| Mark Hoffmann | ... | camera loader (as Mark Hoffman) |
| Barry Joyce | ... | grip |
| David Kerr | ... | grip |
| Craig Lagwig | ... | key grip |
| Scott Lynam | ... | swing grip |
| Kyle T. MacDowell | ... | grip |
| Michael Meehan | ... | grip |
| John D. Moody | ... | electrician |
| Robert W. Morgenroth | ... | video supervisor (as Robert Morgenroth) |
| Shawn Prouse | ... | best boy grip |
| Joe Sanchez | ... | first assistant camera |
| James Weyerman | ... | electrician (as James 'Buck' Weyerman) |
| Paul Wiley | ... | best boy electric |
| Steve Wolpa | ... | second assistant camera |
| Kimberly Wright | ... | still photographer |
Casting Department
| Barbara Harris | ... | voice casting |
| John Jackson | ... | casting: Omaha |
| Karen Meisels | ... | casting assistant |
| Rebecca C. Crespi | ... | casting assistant (uncredited) |
| B.J. Tobin | ... | extras casting (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Barbara Gibbons | ... | swing wardrobe |
| Miriam Hoffman-Durand | ... | wardrobe supervisor (as Miriam Hoffman) |
| Robyn Munger | ... | set costumer |
Location Management
| Ross C. Day | ... | location scout |
| John Latenser V | ... | location manager (as John Latenser) |
| Laurie Richards | ... | location manager |
| Thomas Schuckman | ... | location manager (as Thomas Shuckman) |
Music Department
| Tony Blondal | ... | conductor / orchestrator |
| Eddie King | ... | music mixer / music recordist |
| Tom Kramer | ... | music editor |
| Sid Page | ... | concert master |
| Mary Ramos | ... | music supervisor |
| Michelle Silverman | ... | music supervisor (as Michelle Kuznetsky) |
| Kerry Wikstrom | ... | additional orchestrator (as Carry Wikstrom) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Suzanne Kennedy | ... | script supervisor |
| Randa Rai Slack | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Joe V. Blumbaugh | ... | driver |
| John 'Bubba' Branch | ... | driver |
| Gary Brotherton | ... | driver |
| Angie Carraher | ... | driver |
| Floyd Erwin | ... | driver |
| Sherri Foust | ... | driver |
| Lee Fowler | ... | driver: honeywagon |
| Roy Hancock | ... | driver |
| Kenneth Hansen | ... | driver |
| Jerry Jackson | ... | transportation consultant |
| Donald Jones | ... | driver |
| Keith Kelly | ... | driver |
| John Lybrand | ... | transportation captain |
| Barney McCoy | ... | driver |
| James B. Nance | ... | driver |
| Justin Nance | ... | driver |
| John Rice Sr. | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Billy Scoles | ... | driver |
| William Smallwood | ... | driver: production van |
| Matt Swanson | ... | driver |
| Paul Vecchio | ... | driver |
| Doug Weaver | ... | transportation co-captain |
| Timothy Williams | ... | driver |
| Charlie Wright | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| John Bates | ... | stage projectionist |
| Richard Bernt | ... | stand-in |
| Mauro Blanco | ... | dubbing actor |
| Sarah Buchanan | ... | stand-in |
| Nick Caguioa | ... | craft service |
| Jolana Carlson | ... | set teacher |
| Kaylene Carlson | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Eileen Church | ... | stand-in |
| Colleen Cole | ... | production coordinator |
| Catherine Cronin | ... | body double & stand-in |
| J. Travis Fox | ... | production assistant |
| Jim Foyt | ... | projectionist |
| Lisa Hatch | ... | production office assistant |
| Robin Jonas | ... | senior executive |
| Kelly Klosterman | ... | stand-in |
| Seth Kotok | ... | production office assistant |
| Michael Krainak | ... | production assistant (as Michael J. Krainak III) |
| Jason A. Levine | ... | runner |
| Heather Martin | ... | medic |
| Megan McDonald | ... | assistant: Mr. Woods |
| Mo Milligan | ... | assistant: Ms. Konrad |
| Gina Mingacci | ... | assistant: Ms. Konrad |
| Ahna Packard | ... | scenic artist |
| Juan Ramirez | ... | caterer: Mario's Catering |
| Lizzie Schwartz | ... | assistant: Mr. Woods |
| Robert Sharman | ... | video coordinator |
| Kaile Shilling | ... | assistant: Mr. Payne |
| Debbie Tyler | ... | craft service |
| Ron Wechsler | ... | assistant: Mr. Woods |
| Tim Williams | ... | animal trainer: Jungle Exotics |
| Mark Wolf | ... | caterer: Mario's Catering |
| Matt Yarowsky | ... | assistant production accountant |
| Victoria Vaus | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
Thanks
| John C. Barnhart | ... | thanks |
| Hal Daub | ... | thanks: City of Omaha (as Mayor Hal Daub) |
| Julie Ginsburg | ... | thanks |
| Tom Hanafin | ... | thanks: City of Council Bluffs (as Mayor Tom Hanafin) |
| Louise Miller | ... | thanks (as 'Grandma' Louise Miller) |
| Thomas Schuckman | ... | in memoriam |
| Kathy Sheppard | ... | thanks |
| Jodi Becker Vinci | ... | thanks (as Jody Becker Vinci) |
Production Companies
- Miramax (presents)
- Independent Pictures (II)
Distributors
- Miramax (1996) (United States) (theatrical)
- Kulturföreningen Kedjan (1997) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Laurenfilm (1997) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Spentzos Films (1996) (Greece) (theatrical)
- Triangelfilm (1997) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Alliance Atlantis (Canada) (DVD)
- Alliance Video (Canada) (VHS)
- Lumière Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Miramax Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Miramax Home Entertainment (Canada) (VHS)
- Miramax (video)
- New Films International
- RCV Home Entertainment (Netherlands) (VHS)
- RCV Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Scanbox Entertainment (1997) (Sweden) (VHS)
- SchröderMedia (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Spentzos Film Home Video (1997) (Greece) (VHS)
- The Criterion Channel (2022) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- Tubi TV (2017) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Video Medien Pool (VMP) (1997) (Germany) (VHS)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2000) (Finland) (tv) (TV1)
- Yorin (2003) (Netherlands) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- 20th Television (courtesy of: footage from "Cops")
- Barbara Riley Inc. (negative cutting)
- Barbour/Langley Productions (courtesy of: footage from "Cops")
- Cinema Research (main titles and opticals)
- Deroche Music (music preparation)
- E=mc² (24-frame video displays)
- EFX Systems (sound design and editing)
- Film Finances (completion guarantor)
- FotoKem (color)
- Foxlab (courtesy of: footage from "Cops")
- Hill Production Services (camera package)
- Jungle Exotics Inc. (animal trainer)
- Leonetti Company (lighting and grip package)
- Mad Hatter Studios (music recorded and mixed at)
- Sundance Film Festival (festival)
- Twentieth Century Fox Sound Department (sound re-recording facilities)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Ruth Stoops is a poor indigent drug-user (a huffer - inhaling glue and paint for a high) whose down and out existence is complicated once more by becoming pregnant (she has had and lost four children already). When a judge orders that she gets an abortion or face a felony charge, she is befriended by Gail Stoney, a pro-lifer whose husband is president of the local "Babysavers" group. Suddenly Ruth is thrust into the middle of the pro-choice/pro-life struggle, with each side wanting her to take their side as a "message" to others - and the situation escalates...
Written by Gary Dickerson |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Life, liberty, money and the pursuit of happiness. She's gotta have it. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $3,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $26,709, 15 Dec 1996 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Lance Rome who played Ruth's lover, was not a professional actor and was picked up out of a bar by the director to act in the film. See more » |
| Goofs | When Ruth is going out to party with her host family's daughter, she takes a hit from a bong, but does so incorrectly, not clearing the smoke from the chamber. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Mars Attacks!/Marvin's Room/The Preacher's Wife/Hamlet/Citizen Ruth (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | All the Way See more » |
| Crazy Credits | About halfway through the credits, we hear the beginning of Tape 2, Side 1. See more » |
| Quotes |
Ruth:
Suck the shit out of my ass, you fucker! See more » |