Citizen Ruth

It hardly seems possible, but Alexander Payne's ("Election," "About Schmidt") unflinchingly bold debut is indeed a comedy about abortion. Ruth (Laura Dern), a shabby mother of four who is addicted to anything sniffable, finds herself pregnant again and at the center of a politically motivated tug-of-war. Targeted by would-be allies from both sides of the debate, Ruth finds her pregnancy reduced to an auction for the highest (or most conniving) bidder. Mary Kay Place, Swoosie Kurtz and Kurtwood Smith costar in this biting satire.