“I created my own myth.”  So states Jim McGreevey in the poignant documentary Fall to Grace that plays at this week’s QFest.    McGreevey’s self-described “train wreck” resignation as New Jersey’s governor amidst allegations that he was having an affair with a male staffer lead to his now-famous proclamation, “I am a gay American.”  However, what is most engaging about Alexandra Pelosi’s portrait of McGreevey is the juxtaposition of his “fall” from power to his extremely multi-faceted redemption.

The vast majority of the film focuses on McGreevey’s current employment as a rehabilitator for female inmates in New Jersey’s penal system, a system that McGreevey is passionately attempting to transform.  Several of the women that have worked with McGreevey’s ministry are profiled.  The overall message that the former governor presents to these females that have, indeed, fallen from grace, is there is a future and a way to redeem oneself after addiction and crime.  The film suggests that this mantra is what has saved McGreevey after his own political outing and that the work he does with the inmates is quite literally his own salvation.

Pelosi’s movie clearly demonstrates that McGreevey’s current life and civic engagement is driven by genuine passion and love.  Several scenes show McGreevey walking through the streets of Newark, shaking hands and giving hugs to a wide range of individuals who he remembers by name—as the filmmaker observes, he seems to “know everybody.”  Although this may seem to be the trait of a seasoned politician, there’s something truly honest about his desire to make others feel valued.

Mr. McGreevey was on hand at the screening, and I had the opportunity to interview him about the current state of LGBT politics in the country.  I was one of dozens of people he met during his day in Philadelphia, and I was genuinely surprised that he not only remembered my name (and the name of others), but, as he was leaving a reception following the showing of the documentary, he took the time to find me to say goodbye and to thank me, with a hug, for the interview.  Not many people would do that, period.