Cannot always agree with Manohla Dargis

Along with A.O. Scott and others, Manohla Dargis reviews films for the New York Times. Clearly, she is a recognized expert on such matters. But I reserve the right to disagree with her.

After reading Ms. Dargis’ fairly glowing review in The Times, we went to see “Long Shot,” starring Seth Rogen (Fred Flarsky) and Charlize Theron (Charlotte Field). The movie tells the story of an ambitious woman who (spoiler alert) eventually becomes President of the United States. But I found two things quite troublesome. First, there is no way that a woman as accomplished as Charlotte Field would actually select such a doofus as Fred for a life partner. It may be mildly amusing (and that is being generous) but it is simply too far removed from reality to be of interest. Second, and perhaps I am taking things far too seriously here, I think it is time we have a more realistic portrayal of the type of woman who truly could be a successful POTUS. If I were any one of the female candidates currently vying for that spot, I would find this film rather insulting. Other countries have elected talented women to lead them and it is certainly high time that we here in the United States do the same.

Enough of my soapbox on this one. Go and see it if you will, and feel free to tell me I have no sense of humor whatsoever. 

On a more serious note, we also went to see the documentary on Ruth Westheimer, “Ask Dr. Ruth.” She led quite a life, from being sent off to Switzerland at the age of ten when the Nazis came to power in her native Germany to nearly losing her legs fighting in Israel ten years later. But she prevailed and eventually ended up studying at the Sorbonne and earning her Ed.D. at Columbia Teachers College.

The movie tells how she got into the position for which she became so well known. After completing her doctorate, she became a postdoctoral researcher for Helen Singer Kaplan, renowned professor of human sexuality at Cornell Medical College. But to be honest, while Dr. Ruth was certainly a scholar, she also did a lot of ridiculous things along the way. Perhaps she was just having fun with her subject matter, or perhaps she was determined to make a lot of money. She may well have done that, but she continues to this day (she is over 90 years old) to live in the same small apartment in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan.

All in all, it is a very well-done documentary about a fascinating powerhouse of a woman.

Love,

Rebecca