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Overlooked & Underrated Docs & Features
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All About Ann: Richards Governs Lone Star State Produced and directed by Keith Patterson and Phillip Schopper, “All About Ann”, is a biography and reverential remembrance of Ann Richards who, as a ‘progressive’ Democrat held the governorship very Conservative Texas for one term. A female liberal could not have attained such a position in such a state unless they were, “one of the most charismatic figures of the last thirty years,” as stated in the film’s HBO press release.
Schopper and Patterson tell Richards’ story from early childhood through her passing. They interviewed and featured appearances by several twentieth journalistic and political icons. Humor was one of Richard’s primary weapons throughout her political career. Bill Clinton spoke of Richard’s humor when he spoke of a dinner which included Richard’s, Billy Crystal, and Robin Williams. He told the two guys that, in effect, Ann Richard’s was the funniest person at the table. After seeing Richard’s speak in earlier segments of the film, I wasn’t surprised.
Portents of things to come manifested as the filmmakers showed stills and clips of Karl Rove and George W. Bush during Bush’s run against Richard’s for Governor of Texas. Rick Perry—an embodiment of the opposite of almost all that Ann Richard’s represented, and now Governor of Texas—also makes a brief appearance.
“All About Ann” presents Ann Richards as a powerful humanitarian who made an indelible impact on American politics and whose legend can only grow.