Movie Review: Sally

Heartbreak is often the inspiration for great art. But can great inspiration also break your heart? “Sally,” the new documentary about Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, does a little of both. Her status as an American icon is assured, inspiring countless girls and others to pursue science and reach, quite literally, for the stars. But her private life, which for the first time has been laid open for all to see, in the new documentary will also break your heart.

In the end, Sally Ride’s story is that one of the bravest women in the entire world was still too scared to live her life openly and authentically. It was only after her death in 2012, that the whole universe learned she was a lesbian and had a more than quarter century relationship with partner Tam O'Shaughnessy. So while Sally’s name may be on the marquee, the documentary is really Tam’s story as well. She was the partner long shuffled to the shadows and asked to keep this secret about the person who she loved most and who loved her most.

It’s also a sobering reminder that homophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments are not just an ancient relic. Truly, this era should cure anyone from believing that the struggles for civil rights – be they for queer people or people of color or immigrants or those with disabilities – are over. The sad truth is, we can always go backwards. At 73, Tam’s life continues to be shaped by the specter of the closet. Anyone who also watched the new Pee Wee Herman documentary, in which Paul Reubens also comes out posthumously, had that message reinforced here. We are still losing heroes who believed the only way they could truly be honest with the world about themselves was in death. Still. We have not overcome and the so-called past remains too much of our present.

As Tam says during “Sally”:

“She was afraid. That’s heartbreaking. For me but also for her….The world made it tricky and painful. But we were brave enough to love each other.”

May we reach a point as humans where no one has to be so brave that they feel safer slipping the surly bonds of Earth than being open about being gay. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, as Tam put it, all those tribal fears we hold to about race, gender, nationality, who we love and all the other arbitrary restrictions we place on ourselves and others just melted away. We’re all just little people living on a crazy blue marble. Humans can do extraordinary and inspiring things, but the most extraordinary and the bravest is often simply being ourselves.