October Biursday, October 28,1993 The Battalion Page 5 i i s cast's ed at rela- ith its set il- of the " g° es kkers. tele- y that ricans Fill * ► -# t\i^ needs a chill pill... Sean Min overacts in 0 _ . m Fortune (Charles S. Dutton, right), the head groundskeeper for Notre Dame's football stadium, befriends and encour ages Rudy Ruettiger (Sean Astin) to try out for the football team in the classic underdog story, "Rudy." By Dena Dizdar The Battalion "Rudy" Starring Sean Astin, Ned Beatty and Charles S. Dutton Directed by David Anspaugh Rated PG Playing at Schulman VI "Rudy?" More like "Fruity." The film is based on the true story of Rudy Ruettiger's (Sean Astin) struggle to get into the coveted University of Notre Dame and join the Fighting Irish football team. Despite his small size and lack of athletic and academic abili ty, Rudy goes against all odds to gain acceptance his junior year. Sounds like a good story, right? It is, but the story is clouded by Astin's goofy portrayal of this phenomenally hard-working man. The film begins with a scene from Rudy's childhood in Joliet, 111. It's snow ing, and Rudy is attempting to play foot ball with his brothers and some neigh borhood friends. Rudy finally gets to play a key position, but he botches the play because he is smaller than the rest. In that crucial first scene, one boy stares Rudy in the face and sums up Sean Astin's entire performance when he yells, "Spaz!" I wanted to like Rudy, and I wanted to like this film. It is the story of the classic underdog. Everyone roots for the underdog. But throughout the film, Astin peri odically erases every ounce of support the audience gives him with his quirky performance. At one point, Rudy has secured a job in the Notre Dame athletic maintenance department, and he is overcome by the fact that he is actually in the team's lock er room. He stands on a stool and re cites an old Fighting Irish pep talk he had memorized as a child. This scene could have been poignant and touching, but Astin's exe cution is grating and lispy. He has not yet mastered effective elocution and his undeveloped style shows through in this scene. Astin once again ruins the moment in the critical scene when Rudy is told he has actually made the team. His adolescent jumping and screaming tantrum is irritating rather than en dearing. His overacting sours the mo ment, and one begins to hope Rudy doesn't pull his groin before he even practices with the team. But Astin's performance is not the film's only problem. Much of the film's time is spent on the two years Rudy attends Holy Cross Junior Col lege trying to get into Notre Dame and his rejection each semester. The story drags during this time, leaving the au dience to wonder if Rudy will ever ac tually make it to Notre Dame. The saving grace of this film is Charles S. Dutton's performance as For tune, the athletic field groundskeeper who gives Rudy a job and a reason to keep pursuing his dream. His lines are few and far between, but Dutton adds class and professionalism with his role. If "Rudy's" story line sounds intrigu ing enough to overcome these problems and you think you can stomach Astin's antics, take a chance and see the film. ■if ■ mill - " ; Rcvcrly Hillbillies’ a hit with refreshing family fun Cloris Leachman as Granny. By Jacqueline Ayotte The Battalion ■ly] Starring Dabney Coleman, Lily Tom lin. Lea Thompson and Rob Schneider Directed by Penelope Spheeris Rated PG Playing at Post Oak III Peeling a band-aid off an extremely hairy arm could be more fun than watching previews for "The Beverly Hillbillies." Oh yes, these painfully corny excerpts hurt that bad. But, surprise surprise — this new Twen tieth Century Fox release proves looks can be deceiving. "The Beverly Hillbillies" is more hilari ously refreshing than the original television series. And it just may be the most appro priate family comedy released this fall. With the return of the most hyperac tive hicks in all of television history, not one moment of "The Beverly Hillbillies" is boring. The characters are played out perfectly with Jim Varney as Jed, Erika Eleniak as Elly May, Cloris Leachman as Granny and Diedrich Bader as Jethro and See Hillbillies/Page 6 kes & Mo^ LSAT. GRE. GMAT. MCAT. Expert Teachers Permanent Centers Total Training Call today for a free diagnostic. 696-3196 707 Texas Ave. Ste. 106-E KAPLAN RULES January GMAT Small Classes 35 Class Hours 4 Full length GMATs + Unlimited Tutoring = Great Scores Classes begin Nov. 6th. THE PRINCETON REVIEW We Score More! 696-9099 Neither GMAC nor Princeton U. are affiliated with The Princeton Review TEXAS HALL OF FAME Your#1 Live Country Night Spot! Thurs. Night - 98