Ann Richards was a whip-smart feisty feminist elected to govern the state of Texas. She was the second woman and the last Democrat to hold that office. Richards attained national prominence as the keynote speaker at the 1988 Democratic national convention, when she famously skewered Republican presidential candidate George H. W. Bush, “Poor George! He can’t help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.”
The film chronicles the charismatic Richards as she navigates the wacky world of Texas politics, which the late columnist Molly Ivins called the “finest form of free entertainment ever invented.” The movie spotlights Richards’ successful efforts to help revitalize the state’s faltering economy and her initiatives in education and prison reform. She served as governor from 1991 until 1995, when she was succeeded by George W. Bush.
First-time feature directors Keith Patterson and Jack Lofton feature interviews with President Bill Clinton, Tom Brokaw, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and other boldface figures who knew or worked with Richards, but the film is hampered by a number of unfortunate choices, including a poorly mixed soundtrack and bafflingly inappropriate music.
With some judicious editing and a cleaner, less distracting soundtrack, Ann Richards’ Texas might become a film as classy and polished as its subject.
Ann Richards’ Texas (USA) 85 minutes
More information and purchase tickets.
Ann Richards’ Texas website.
Thursday, June 32, 6:00pm
Saturday, June 23, 4:30pm
https://vimeo.com/36120793
