Based on a true story from 1975, ‘Rudy’ is a film about courage, gritty determination, and not giving up on your dreams. Rudy Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin, is an underachieving football player with dreams of attending the University of Notre Dame and playing on the football team. However, his grades were too low, he was too poor to afford college, and he lacked the athletic talent. He was undersized and not fast, but one thing he had was his heart. He fought his way through each obstacle, one at a time, onto the team with no scholarship. The chilling ending was a classic feel-good moment with the crowd chanting "Rudy Rudy Rudy."

In most underdog stories, the main character always comes through and leaves the field celebratory after carrying his/her team to victory. However, that’s not real life. Rudy comes off victorious here in another way. He wins the hearts and minds of his fellow teammates, his small town, and his family/friends. I believe the movie is so meaningful because there is a Rudy in everyone. The fact is not everyone can be a gifted athlete or born genius, but one doesn’t have to be. All one can do is give it their best by putting their heart and soul into whatever their dream is.

Would I recommend this? Yes. It’s an inspiring movie that wins you over. The story didn’t significantly deviate from the facts outside of a few minor changes, such as making the coach Dan Devine an antagonist. It was actually Devine who motivated Rudy and put in Rudy (you always need a bad guy, huh?). Another fact omitted was that Rudy was a Navy sailor after high school before saving up for college with financial help from his father.