Citizen Ruth

This raucously entertaining satire from Alexander Payne stars Laura Dern as a paint-huffing pregnant woman who becomes the unwitting face of both sides in an abortion debate in the American Midwest. After one of her “routine” drug arrests, Ruth Stoops is taken under the care of the Stoneys, a Christian family who expects her to keep the child and become the poster-girl for a pro-life movement called the Baby Savers. It’s not long before pro-choice activists arrive with their own cash incentives and ulterior motives, prompting a media frenzy in which the disparate parties use Ruth as their pawn. As the irredeemable Ruth, Dern’s performance conveys a remarkable blend of comedy, pathos, and unbridled mischief.

Part of a daylong celebration of Laura Dern’s ongoing contribution to the history of screen acting. On December 14 at 8:00 p.m., Dern joins us for an onstage discussion spanning her illustrious career, with a focus on her recent triumphs on the big and small screen (Certain Women, Wilson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Big Little Lies, Twin Peaks: The Return). Get tickets for the conversation.