Jim McGreevey’s Political Journey Chronicled in HBO’s “Fall to Grace”
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ABC News(NEW YORK) — When Jim McGreevey announced his “truth” on live television, it shocked the political world. On August 12, 2004 the former New Jersey governor revealed he was a “gay American.”
In an interview for ABC’s This Week Sunday, the former New Jersey governor reflected, “The blessing of 2004, my resignation, is that I’ve had the opportunity to reassess my values, what was at my core, and a difference to me, if you could do anything at this point in life, think about pursuing what your passion would be.”
Alexandra Pelosi’s new HBO film, Fall to Grace, follows McGreevey pursuing his new-found passion — serving as a spiritual advisor for incarcerated women.
“What is so special about Alexandra was the trust that she incurred with the women,” McGreevy said. “They talked about some of the most difficult aspects of their lives and she gives meaning and purpose to these women. If any good comes out of this… hopefully it’s that as we drive by those high concrete walls with barbed wire we understand that there are human beings behind those walls.”
Pelosi, whose previous films include HBO’s Citizen U.S.A.: A 50 State Road Trip, Homeless: The Motel Kids of Orange County, and Journeys with George said, “We’re trying to put the idea out there that everyone deserves a second act, everyone deserves redemption. We’ve all made mistakes that we’re not proud of and all think that in this time of the year it’s a good time to talk about getting forgiveness for our sins.”
McGreevey agrees that his journey after resigning from office in 2004 has been one of redemption.
“It’s redemptive… you spend time with people who are broken and you see the sense of goodness within them,” McGreevey said. “And I also achieved a parallel blessing — they’re working with me to move to a more, what I would perceive, godly place.”
An official documentary selection at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Fall to Grace, exploring Jim McGreevey’s road from political scandal to redemption, premieres this Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 8 p.m. on HBO.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio