‘Rudy’

About as hard to resist--and as intellectually demanding--as an affectionate puppy, this 1993 release is one of those Never Say Die, I Gotta Be Me, Somebody Up There Likes Me sports movies that no amount of cynicism can diminish. Daniel E. (Rudy) Ruettiger’s football story tells of a lad who strove mightily against the odds for years of his life just on the off chance that one day at Notre Dame, no less, he might be allowed to suit up, walk onto the field and be a bench warmer. Described as a “5-foot-nothing, 100 and nothing, with hardly a spec of athletic ability,” Rudy (Sean Astin, pictured) nevertheless persists. As convincingly played by Astin, Rudy is more than just persistent, he is equal parts likable and unaffected. In fact, Astin’s engaging performance is the best thing about the film (HBO Saturday at 7 p.m.).