There have been plenty of inspirational movies made, but none get me by the throat the way Rudy does. Based on a true story, Rudy demonstrates that success in life is not decided by wealth, talent or athletic ability alone. Rudy has none of those things. What he does have is drive and determination.

Born to a large working class family, Rudy's future seems set for him. After high school graduation he goes to work at a steel mill where his father and two older brothers work. However, Rudy has long dreamed of going Notre Dame and playing on their football team. After the death of his best friend, Rudy finally decides to give his dream a shot. With $1,000 savings he takes off to South Bend, Indiana. There, nothing comes easy for him. He has to attend a junior college near by, to get his grades up, before being accepted into Notre Dame. Then he becomes a tackle dummy for the real football squad. He basically gets tackled and beat up every practice. Along the way Rudy endears himself to many different people with his perseverance, including the football team, who eventually coheres the coach into letting Rudy suit up for his final game.

Sean Astin does a remarkable job portraying Rudy as a ordinary young man trying to make something of himself. He sometimes comes across as a little annoying. All he talks about is Notre Dame football. He is naive and often clueless about what is going on around him. However, you cannot help but root for someone who wants something so badly. Astin keeps Rudy on a level playing field. Rudy never become sanctimonious.

Rudy has a few memorable lines in it. When asked if he is ready to run out on the field for his first real game, Rudy replies, "I've been ready for this my whole life." When Rudy asks a Priest for help getting into Notre Dame, the Priest says, " Son, in 35 years of religious study, I have only come up with two hard incontrovertible facts: there is a God, and I'm not Him."

Rudy makes a powerful statement that who you are is not based on what you have but what you do with what you have. Rudy will leave you cheering!

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