Fire Of Desire, Of The Movie Rudy Essay, Research Paper
Fire of Desire
Nearly everyone who has succeeded in some venture of life has at one point encountered critics and criticism. The events throughout the movie, Rudy, directed by David Anspaugh, are no different. The movie, based on a true story, is an inspiring tale of Daniel “Rudy” Rudiger s fight against all odds to play football for Notre Dame. Rudy, through the course of his entire life, had been told by everyone that chasing his dream of playing Notre Dame football would only cause him heartache. Despite all hindrances, Rudy, played by Sean Astin, accomplished his dream, and is to this day the last Notre Dame football player to be carried off the field. The reoccurring them in the movie is to be persistent in chasing your dreams and overcome all obstacles and criticism you may encounter along the way.
Evident throughout the entire movie is how the desire in Rudy s heart helped him to overcome any physical abilities he lacked. This is clearly shown through Coach Parseghian s having said to another player, “If you had only a tenth of the heart of Rudiger, you could have been All-American” (Coach Parseghian). Rudy was not blessed with the physical abilities of other players, but rather with the heart to continually persist in achieving his dream of playing Notre Dame football. Rudy s heart and desire probably got him farther in the game of football than he would have got had he been more athletically gifted. Also lending support to
this is Coach Parseghian telling Rudy, “I wish God would put your heart in some of my players bodies” (Coach Parseghian). Clearly, Rudy s coach felt he had the most heart of anyone on the team. Players with desire like that of Rudy are becoming increasingly harder to find in today s world of athletics, and therefore coaches are coming to appreciate them more. Rudy s self-confidence and persistence in the game of football, despite not being born with an incredible ability to play the game, is truly awe inspiring and worthy of much praise.
Rudy was continually persistent in chasing his dream, despite constantly hearing throughout his entire upbringing that he could not do it. Rudy perhaps faced his greatest criticism in high school, where everyone from his parents and siblings, friends and teachers were unsupportive of his dream. Rudy was once told in high school, “The secret to happiness in this life is to be grateful for the things the good Lord has bestowed upon us Not everyone was meant to go to college” (Civics teacher). Many teachers say they have gotten into teaching because they enjoy being a mentor to children, and children definitely need mentors during this point in their lives. Obviously, this was not the case for Rudy s civics teacher, who spoke very adversely to Rudy about pursuing his dream. Even worse, his own father once told him, “Chasing a stupid dream causes you and everyone else nothing but heartache. Notre Dame is for rich kids, smart kids, great athletes. Not us. You re a Rudiger, and there s nothing wrong with being a Rudiger” (Rudy s father). It is amazing how Rudy found the confidence to never quit with even his own parents not supporting him in his almost impossible endeavor. I find invaluable the fact that my parents support and encourage me in nearly everything I do, despite whether or not they approve of it. The kind of self-confidence,
determination, and motivation displayed by Rudy is seldom seen today in kids with mentors and role models in their life, and even less in kids without these people in their lives.
Despite not having his family, teachers, and the majority of his peers on his side, Rudy had his untouchable desire and perhaps most important of all, his best friend, Pete. Pete was quite possibly Rudy s only friend who believed he could accomplish his dream. In a bar room brawl, Pete shouted at Rudy s brother, Frank, “If you had one half of Rudy s heart and will, you could have been All-Conference” (Pete). Pete knew Rudy could achieve his dream, because he knew the kind of desire he had within to succeed. Through watching the movie, it appears Pete was the only person who was supportive of Rudy s dream, until Rudy went on to meet Debob and Fortune in South Bend. When Rudy was nearly ready to give up on his dream, Pete said, “Having dreams is what makes life tolerable” (Pete). Had Rudy not had Pete s support, he may not have been able to bear all the criticism he received. Also, Pete s death was what made Rudy realize how you never know what the next day of your life may bring, and that you must seize the day and act now upon that which you want in life. Rudy did not have much support throughout his life, and should be exalted for having made his dream come true almost solely upon his own will and self-confidence. However, some credit must be given to Rudy s dearly departed friend, Pete, for having fully supported Rudy in his endeavor. Both he and Rudy rode the dream out through all the peaks and trenches, mountains and valleys.
In closing, perhaps Fortune put it best in saying, “In this lifetime, you don t have to prove nothin to nobody but yourself” (Fortune). Rudy lived out the life of his dream by this quote. Indeed, he wanted to play for Notre Dame to prove everyone wrong who had ever
doubted him. However, the true fuel that flamed Rudy s fire came not from this, but from within his heart. It was the desire in his heart that had kept him persistent and had got him through the countless days of criticism. While in the end, he had proven everyone wrong , no one but Rudy could ever know the true satisfaction he had received through achieving his dream.