Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Ask Dr. Ruth (2019)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Ask Dr. Ruth
Ask Dr. Ruth is a documentary that follows Ruth Westheimer, a German-American sex therapist, as she reflects on her life and career as she approaches her 90th birthday. The film is directed by Ryan White and produced by a team including Jessica Hargrave and Christopher Leggett. It includes insights into Westheimer's rise to fame, including her late-night television series, Ask Dr. Ruth, which began in 1987. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019, and received several accolades, including Best Documentary Feature at the Calgary Underground Film Festival. The documentary combines biographical elements with thematic discussions, although some critics noted it lacks a connection to contemporary issues in sex education and women's health.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Ruth Westheimer, America's favorite sex therapist.
  • •See her candid reflections on life before turning 90.
  • •Find out about her rise to fame on late-night TV.

Did You Know

•The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2019.
•Ask Dr. Ruth earned $93,128 during its domestic opening weekend.
•The film holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 85 reviews.
•It was nominated for Best Documentary at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Perfect For

Sex education advocatesFans of documentary filmsRuth Westheimer enthusiasts