Watch Ask Dr. Ruth

Ask Dr. Ruth is a touching and intimate documentary that celebrates the life and legacy of one of the world's most famous and beloved sex therapists, Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Directed by Ryan White, the film takes us on a journey through Dr. Ruth's incredible life, from her humble beginnings in Nazi Germany to her legendary career as an educator, author, and media personality. Through a series of interviews, archival footage, and personal anecdotes, we get a first-hand look at Dr. Ruth's remarkable resilience, passion, and compassion.

The film begins with a look back at Dr. Ruth's childhood in Frankfurt, Germany, where she was born in 1928. Her parents were Orthodox Jews who made sure that their daughter received a traditional Jewish education, but Dr. Ruth also had a hunger for knowledge and a desire to explore the wider world. When she was just 10 years old, her parents sent her to a Swiss orphanage to escape the dangers of Nazi Germany. She never saw her parents again, as they both perished in the Holocaust.

Despite the trauma of her childhood, Dr. Ruth never lost her optimism or her curiosity about the world. After the war, she moved to Israel and became a member of the Hagana, the pre-state Jewish defense force. She went on to study at the Sorbonne in Paris before immigrating to the United States in 1956. It was there that she began to pursue her lifelong interest in human sexuality, earning a master's degree in sociology and a doctorate in education from Columbia University.

By the 1980s, Dr. Ruth had become a media sensation, thanks to her frank and engaging approach to sexual education. She hosted a popular radio show, wrote several best-selling books, and appeared on countless talk shows and news programs. Her infectious enthusiasm and charming personality made her a beloved icon, and she remained active and engaged well into her nineties.

Throughout the film, we see Dr. Ruth interacting with friends, colleagues, and fans who attest to her warmth, humor, and overall loveliness. We also get a glimpse of her private life, which includes a devoted third husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We see her interacting with her family at home, shopping at the grocery store, and walking through her beloved Central Park.

What emerges from this portrait of Dr. Ruth is a sense of what made her so memorable and inspiring. Not only was she a pioneer in the field of sexual education, but she was also a tireless advocate for social justice and a compassionate human being. Despite the tragedies she endured in her youth, she remained a beacon of hope and joy throughout her life. As she says in one poignant moment in the film, "I'm not a victim. I'm a survivor."

Overall, Ask Dr. Ruth is a wonderful tribute to a remarkable woman. It is not only a celebration of Dr. Ruth's accomplishments and spirit, but it is also a reminder of the power of education, empathy, and resilience. Whether you are a fan of Dr. Ruth or simply curious about her life and work, this documentary is not to be missed.

Ask Dr. Ruth is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 68.