PELOSI IN THE HOUSE, a documentary created by Alexandra Pelosi, is an inside look at how “the sausage is made.” This is Alexandra’s 14th film. She has incredible access to one of the most powerful women in American history.
This film begins in 2017, sharing Nancy’s background and her rise to becoming third in line for the Presidency as Speaker of the House. Her history is fascinating and is demonstrated with personal interviews, clips, and photographs. I loved learning that Nancy’s father was also a U.S. Representative before he became Mayor of Baltimore. He died two months after Nancy was sworn into Congress. How proud he must have been standing right next to his daughter taking her Oath of Office. “This life chose Nancy.” She was born into a legacy.
The strengths of PELOSI IN THE HOUSE are the sharing of how she gets the votes and keeps her caucus in line. This is an extremely tough job, and Nancy works all hours of the day and night. The sound of her “clicking” heels walking through the House halls must be known by all her colleagues. She said, “I don’t count sheep at night to fall asleep. I count votes.”
“How do you make peace with the fact that because of your work, people want to kill you for being the Speaker? They are making you a target…a target, of misinformation. A target of mockery and sometimes the target of violence. This is not…this is not for the faint of heart.” At one point, there were over 137,000 ads in print against Nancy. I don’t know how she does it.
PELOSI IN THE HOUSE also showcased some never-before-seen footage from the “hiding place” she and the other leadership was taken to on the day of the Insurrection. Unbelievable conversations were documented. She never wavered.
She tells this story about how she wants to be remembered…
“This story was posted in Africa, and it said when one day I die and I have to meet my maker. I go before him and he will say to me show me your wounds. Show me your wounds. And if I have no wounds to show him, he will say, was nothing worth fighting for? I am proud of my wounds.”
Keep in mind that Alexandra filmed a documentary that favors her mother and can be considered uneven by some. Nevertheless, I am proud to have witnessed a small part of her life’s journey.
PELOSI IN THE HOUSE is available to stream on HBO MAX.
