Movie Review: Ask Dr. Ruth

Ask Dr. Ruth *** / *****

Directed by: Ryan White.

 

I am sure that the makers of Ask Dr. Ruth would like nothing more than to have their film described as Won’t You Be My Neighbor, but for America’s Sex Therapist, instead of America’s favorite children’s show host. The goal is basically the same – take an icon from the past, and make it clear for a modern audience just why they were important – and how they are still relevant. And Dr. Ruth Wertheimer is a good subject. In the 1980s, she really was America’s Sex Therapist – starting with a radio show in New York, and eventually building an empire. She was very popular on the late night talk show circuit – and the daytime talk show circuit, even getting her own show at one point. And that was odd – Dr. Ruth was already well into her 50s when she became famous. She was short – under five feet – an immigrant from Germany and Israel – whose family was killed in the Holocaust. And yet, she was always smiling and laughing. And she was always positive. She has been steadfast in her support for access to abortion, and for gay rights as well – even back when it wasn’t at all popular. She helped bring sex out of the shadows and get people talking about it. Now, there is an entire industry built around this.

 

As a documentary, Ask Dr. Ruth is fine – if a little more straight forward and surface level than you may want. One of the key differences between Ask Dr. Ruth and Won’t You Be My Neighbor is that Dr. Ruth is still very much alive. She is 90 now, and still active – she still teaches, she still writes books, she still travels all over giving interviews and talks. She is the most active 90-year-old you can imagine – and by all appearances, she will keep going until she can no longer go. She is like the Energizer Bunny.

 

While this would seem like a good thing for the documentary, I’m not sure it really is. Dr. Ruth is the main interview subject in the film – as director Ryan White follows her everywhere she goes – including a trip to Israel and back. While it’s amazing to see Dr. Ruth still going, the problem is that she isn’t the most introspective of people – at least not publicly. She tells the story of her childhood (which we see in animated sequences, narrated by others – an odd choice since Dr. Ruth’s voice is so distinctive, and the narration comes from her diaries) and of her multiple marriages – especially her third, and final one, that last nearly 40 years. But if you’re looking for much insight into who Dr. Ruth is as a person, you won’t find it here.

 

The film does offer a good recap of Dr. Ruth’s career – especially the time in the 1980s when she was everywhere. There is a treasure trove of clips of her talking to people like Conan, Letterman or Carson – always drawing a laugh from the audience, the more uncomfortable she can make the hosts, the better. And clips of her talking about more serious issues – like abortion or gay rights. She is steadfast in her belief that she shouldn’t talk about politics – even when asked point blank, she won’t tell you what she thinks about Donald Trump or any other politician. She thinks everyone needs the information she is trying to get out there – and if she becomes political, it will turn some off. She won’t even call herself a feminist – even after her daughter and granddaughter press her, and try to explain to her that she says she believes everything feminists say they believe, all Dr. Ruth can offer is that she doesn’t think people should go around burning bras.

 

All that said, it’s pretty hard to deny that Ask Dr. Ruth is an entertaining film. Dr. Ruth really is a force of nature, and its fun to see her in her prime, and right now, and see she is the same person, still chugging along, still offering advice and help – still fighting for what she believes. It makes me feel lazy to see what she is still doing. I do wish the film went deeper – but if the subject doesn’t want to go there, there isn’t much the doc can do.