NOW ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC! Cristina Constantini, the film’s director and screenwriter, presents a genuine portrait of America’s first female astronaut in the documentary, Sally. Sally Ride’s life story is unexpected and told from an honest perspective. Tam O’Shaughnessy, Ride’s life partner, is our window into one of our country’s groundbreaking pioneers. Sally Ride became a member of NASA’s astronaut program in the late 70s; she was selected as this program was opening the doors for both women and minorities. She stood out from the other women as she was disciplined and could handle the difficult training. Ride was a natural for space travel because of athletic agility from years of playing tennis.
Her time at NASA also intersected with the career of Billie Jean King, a famous tennis player. King notoriously lost her status as a sports legend due to having a romance with a woman in the past. This public incident affected the way Ride handled herself in the media and her desire to keep her love life private. On the other hand, male employees were getting used to the idea of women astronauts. Ride held her own and even competed against her female colleagues to achieve the spot of “first American female astronaut.” The documentary dabbles in her falling out with NASA after the Challenger disaster, and her later life in creating proto-STEM programs for young girls.
NASA Astronaut Sally Ride posing with her space helmet during her time in training as a mission specialist for NASA’s STS-7 spaceflight. (Credit: NASA)
“ Sally Ride’s life story is unexpected and told from an honest perspective.”
Sally brilliantly juggles multiple aspects of Sally Ride’s life, while also capturing the optimism of NASA’s drive to elevate space travel. Kate Hackett and Andy McAllister’s editing skills are phenomenal as they weave archival interviews, rare NASA footage, and anecdotal moments with Ride’s closest friends and family. Constantini and screenwriter Tom Maroney are clever in using Tam O’Shaughnessy to help us understand Sally Ride as a person. Using Tam’s perspective creates an opportunity for flashbacks. The flashbacks are beautifully shot in vintage film stock by Michael Latham. This aesthetic choice complements the archival footage and photographs used throughout the film.
Constantini’s film also tackles subject matter like sexism and lesbian relationships. These topics are executed in a thoughtful and introspective way without becoming heavy-handed or exploitative. Most importantly, this documentary is a great tribute to Sally Ride! Her passion for physics and being a positive role model for young women is what makes this film a must-see. By the end of the documentary, one feels like they got to know her on a personal level. Sally is a perfect portrait of an American icon, proving that anyone can achieve their dreams with passion and grit.
"…Ride was a natural for space travel because of athletic agility from years of playing tennis."
