Un sujet capital

SYNOPSIS

Laura Dern carries this issue-based tale single-handedly as the irredeemable Ruth Stoops, a homeless, pregnant drug abuser who triggers a violent debate between pro-lifers and abortion rights campaigners following her arrest for sniffing patio sealant. The range of characters includes Swoosie Kurtz and Kelly Preston as lesbian lovers, and elsewhere Burt Reynolds's pro-lifer squares up to Tippi Hedren's pro-choice harpy. Clearly demonstrating the insanity that surrounds this issue in the US, director Alexander Payne manages to satirise as well as explain. The result is a brave and very black comedy that takes no prisoners.