David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place. A documentary about New Hampshire politics that's fun, really
This review somehow didn’t get into print, so we’ll toss it up here.
“Granny D” isn’t a rapper (it’d be a good name for one though, no?), but she nearly has the energy and drive of one. HBO’s modest, charming documentary “Run Granny Run” introduces America to New Hampshire’s favorite elder stateswoman: Doris “Granny D” Haddock, who at age 89 traversed the country on foot to raise awareness for campaign reform and, in 1994, at age 94, ran a quixotic campaign for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire.
Haddock entered the campaign a mere four months before Election Day with no money but a lot of moxie. She went up against the well-oiled and –funded machinery of Republican incumbent Judd Gregg, was all but spurned by her Democratic Party, and tooled around the state in a camper trailer reading “Vote Dammit!” across its front.
Despite her age – in one scene, she’s gasping for breath as she walks from one campaign stop to another; in another, she fumbles through a rehearsal for her debate with Gregg – her grassroots, anti-special-interests platform somehow resonated with some voters.
Director/producer Marlo Poras paints an affectionate portrait of Haddock though her campaign clearly flirts with disarray. She even ratchets up the suspense in the build-up to Haddock’s debate with Gregg: The night before, she earnestly prays, “Dear God, please don’t let me make a fool of myself tomorrow.” On the way to debate, she forgets her dentures. Fearing the worse, her campaign manager says he wants to watch the debate with a sandwich, a beer and a “.38 revolver.”
Haddock doesn’t win – this gives away nothing if you follow politics even a bit – but she more than acquits herself nicely. “Run Granny Run” celebrates political idealism and makes you wish more ordinary citizens had “Granny D’s” courage and conviction.
- “Run Granny Run:” 9 tonight; also 10:45 a.m. Saturday, 12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Oct. 24, 5 p.m. Oct. 27; HBO.
Comments
Marlo Poras, Hmmm, SHE did a great job rendering a touching portrait of a remarkable woman. A must seee for anyone interested in working for democracy and having a governmant of, for and by the poeple.
"go Granny go"
Posted by: Joe Cary | October 18, 2007 1:36 PM