Ask Dr. Ruth
Ask Dr. Ruth

Movie spotlight

Ask Dr. Ruth

2019
Movie
100 min
English

A documentary portrait chronicling the incredible life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became the United States' most famous sex therapist. As her 90th birthday approaches, Dr. Ruth revisits her painful past and her career at the forefront of the sexual revolution.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes87%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users88%
Director: Ryan WhiteGenres: Documentary, Biography

Plot Summary

This documentary chronicles the extraordinary life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, from her escape from Nazi Germany to her rise as a pioneering sex therapist and media personality. It explores her resilience, her unconventional path to fame, and her enduring impact on public discourse about sex and intimacy. The film delves into her personal experiences and the cultural shifts that allowed her unique voice to resonate.

Critical Reception

Ask Dr. Ruth was widely praised by critics for its intimate portrait of a remarkable woman, highlighting her strength, humor, and groundbreaking career. Reviewers appreciated the film's comprehensive look at her life, from her traumatic early years to her decades of influence. Audiences generally responded positively to the documentary's uplifting and informative nature.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its insightful and engaging exploration of Dr. Ruth's life and career.

  • Commended for showcasing her resilience, humor, and lasting impact on society.

  • Seen as an inspiring look at a groundbreaking cultural figure.

Google audience: Google users largely lauded the documentary for its inspirational portrayal of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, appreciating the blend of personal history and cultural impact. Many found it to be a moving and informative look at her life's journey.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for a Critics' Choice Documentary Award for Best Political Documentary.

Fun Fact

Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a trained sharpshooter, having received training from the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization, in pre-state Israel.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
SWITCH.

SWITCH.

As so often happens when you research a film, I stumbled upon comments made. Comments outlining how great it is to have a grandma talk about sex, or how White gave us a rose-tinted version of Dr Ruth’s life. This story really isn’t about th...