Ask Dr. Ruth

"Size doesn't matter"

2019 1h 40m EN

🙌

7.7

BANGER

★7.7TMDB · 50

Documentary

Synopsis

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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.

“Size doesn't matter”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Ruth Westheimer
Self
Pierre Lehu
Self
Cliff Rubin
Self
Greg Willenborg
Self
Miriam Westheimer
Self
Leora Einleger
Self
Jonathan Capehart
Self
Melissa Eagan
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ryan White
Languages: Yiddish, German, French, English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 7 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Yiddish, German, French, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ryan White, shot by David Paul Jacobson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Helen Kearns shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ruth Westheimer and Pierre Lehu and Cliff Rubin carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Size doesn't matter".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt9353586 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ryan White directs. David Paul Jacobson behind the camera. Helen Kearns cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in Yiddish, German, French, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 7 years ago.
2Dialogue crosses 4 languages: Yiddish, German, French, English.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Ryan White, shot by David Paul Jacobson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Editor Helen Kearns shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Ruth Westheimer and Pierre Lehu and Cliff Rubin carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Size doesn't matter".
8IMDB entry: tt9353586 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 50 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: David Paul Jacobson
Editing: Helen Kearns
Production design: Daniel Dulitzky
Runtime: 100 min · 1h 40m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Ask Dr. Ruth (2019)

Awards

Sundance Festival Favorite Runner Up

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Ryan White

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

SWITCH.2019-12-03
★ 10/10
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 that. It's about progression in all circles of life. Overcoming adversity, finding direction, contributing to something greater and larger than ourselves, and championing a cause for others, Dr Ruth is so much more than just a 90-year-old with the big balls to talk about sex. In a climate where the rights of the individual often trump the needs of the village, this film really does equip society with the story of a strong woman who finally gains recognition for her long service to society. With attentive ears, honest words and grace in her heart, Dr Ruth accepted us and our bodies, before we even could. Go and give this woman the support she deserves. - Lily Meek Read Lily's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-ask-dr-ruth-a-documentary-on-90th-birthday-parties-nazi-germany-and-sex

Production companies