Rudy is all heart, which provides a greater contrast in the face of continuing pitfalls, as well as a decent protagonist for this uplifting, encouraging tale.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Feb 6, 2025

A great example of how "Hollywooding" something up a little can turn a fantastic true story into something that can affect the viewer even more than just the truth. These are the kinds of films that can only be done in America.

| Original Score: A+ | Aug 15, 2024

A likable if rather bland underdog tale, with director David Anspaugh and screenwriter Angelo Pizzo (who both scored with 1986’s meatier Hoosiers) dutifully checking off the boxes inherent in such Americana fare.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 19, 2023

... watching a film like RUDY reminds us that sometimes the power of belief, or as Lasso puts it, “to believe in believe,” is magic enough to set aside cynicism long enough to remind ourselves that dreams that uplift are laudable and should be supported.

| Nov 13, 2023

It's definitely a really wonderful movie if you want to be inspired by a goal that you have in your life and you want to be motivated.

| Jun 28, 2019

So sentimental it moves you to laughter rather than tears.

| Dec 7, 2017

Corny and manipulative as it is, Rudy is a movie that makes you want to cheer -- if not for the real-life Rudy Ruettiger's public relations triumph, at least for the mythical Rudy's brave pursuit of an All-American dream.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 23, 2016

Anspaugh, whose Hoosiers showed he knows from feel-good movies, directs this story as if he were conducting Bolero, carefully building climax upon climax as the story spirals to an underdog triumph every bit as tearful as that of Rocky.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 23, 2016

At times it is both overly sentimental and unintentionally funny.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 23, 2016

The film is so effective because Rudy is never seen as mock-heroic, and he's never lifted toward unrealistic achievement. He simply does the very best he can.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 23, 2016

Underneath its rah-rah spirit, the PG-rated Rudy is straightforward enough to raise, albeit unintentionally, some troubling questions.

| Aug 23, 2016

Ideally, this movie should be seen as a double feature with Knute Rockne, All-American, that other great movie about Notre Dame football.

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 18, 2012

Well acted but overly familiar and sentimental sports tale of the underdog

| Original Score: C+ | Aug 9, 2011

continues to make life seem a little better

| Original Score: B | Feb 24, 2011

Inspiring sports film about a real life underdog.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jan 2, 2011

Rudy is one of those beating-the-odds tales that no one does better than Hollywood. A film that hits all the right emotional buttons, it's an intelligent, sentimental drama that lifts an audience to its feet cheering.

Full Review | Mar 26, 2009

With its faithful rendering of a true inspirational story, Rudy earns its sentiment...an irresistable inspirational movie for all ages. [Blu-ray]

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Sep 28, 2008

Sean Astin is utterly winning...

| May 29, 2008

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 1, 2008

An inconsequential, if moving, contribution to the sports-movie genre.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Mar 26, 2007