If the scandal arc for former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey had been written as a TV movie, no one would’ve believed it: A handsome politician and family man comes out as gay after allegations of a relationship with an Israeli “expert” he hired to handle homeland security for the state. As his wife slaughters him in a tell-all, the fallen pol enters the seminary to become an Episcopal priest.
On Thursday, HBO is airing Fall to Grace, a fairly sympathetic examination of the McGreevey scandal and his life after it by filmmaker, Alexandra Pelosi, director of The Trials of Ted Haggard and daughter of Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
We haven’t watched the whole documentary yet, but watching the trailer above, we’re left asking: If McGreevey believes he had his moment of hubris and is now selflessly helping women in prison, why does he need a camera crew to follow him around? Good deeds are supposed to be their own reward, no?
Fall to Grace airs March 28 at 8pm on HBO
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KJ
In the TV interview I saw, Pelosi stated that McGreevey had no desire to be followed by cameras, but she was relentless. The women in the prison ministry had to also agree, and apparently agreed as a group that everyone should have a second chance, to which I would agree.
AEH
Wow. Every time I read a post on Queerty, I lose a little more faith in us. That last paragraph was just bitchy. The writer is just reinforcing the stereotype that all gay men are critical, judgmental, and prone to dwelling on the past and nursing old grudges.
SoloZach
I went to a screening of this doc last night at Lincoln Center with both mother and daughter Pelosi in attendance. As KJ mentioned, this was Alexandra Pelosi’s idea and it was a great one. The documentary is moving and the message is powerful: everyone deserves a second chance. Even Queerty.
I highly recommend those of you with HBO to watch tomorrow. And for that matter, watch other docs by Alexandra. She’s a wonderful documentarian. Journeys with George, anyone?