THE SHOW "Fall to Grace" 
 WHEN|WHERE Thursday at 8 p.m. on <a href="/topics//HBO">HBO</a> 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Former <a href="/topics//New_Jersey">New Jersey</a> Gov. James McGreevey, who resigned from office in 2004 after coming out and admitting to an affair with a state official, later went to the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan, began a "committed relationship" with financier Mark O'Donnell and now works as a spiritual adviser for Integrity House at Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearney, N.J. This portrait, by Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of House Minority Leader <a href="/topics//Nancy_Pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>), follows McGreevey -- who has not been granted priesthood by the <a href="/topics//Episcopal_Church">Episcopal Church</a> -- around on his ministries. 
 MY SAY Alexandra Pelosi is an intelligent, sensitive filmmaker ("Right America: Feeling Wronged -- Some Voices from the Campaign Trail"; "The Trials of <a href="/topics//Ted_Haggard">Ted Haggard</a>") but her style also tends to be loose, jaunty and blissfully untroubled. In this portrait, she's not only incurious around the former governor, but she refuses to ask any difficult questions. In lieu of unpleasantness, she falls back on her default position of forced chumminess: "You still got it, Governor. You still got it!" But hard questions or real insights here might derail her -- and possibly McGreevey's -- simplistic narrative, of a good man whose singular, defining error of judgment was in hiding his homosexuality from so many for so long. "Coming out was a great gift," he says. "I'm gay? Big ----." But McGreevey didn't resign just because he was gay and married at the time, but because he had appointed his lover, an Israeli citizen, as the state's counterterrorism czar in the wake of 9/11, and when pressed, gave him a $110,000-a- year job as an "adviser." (The man, <a href="/topics//Golan_Cipel">Golan Cipel</a>, later threatened to sue McGreevey for sexual harassment.) Not a mention of that here, and as a result, Pelosi -- doubtless unintentionally -- has done a disservice to McGreevey, who almost looks like he's hiding from his past rather than confronting it. McGreevey makes a compelling point when he says "no one should be defined by the lowest point of their lives," but shouldn't public officials be defined by their careers? If his had been defined with any clarity here, this portrait would actually be powerful, and his "fall to grace" even moving. 
 BOTTOM LINE A thorough whitewashing 
 GRADE D+

THE SHOW "Fall to Grace" WHEN|WHERE Thursday at 8 p.m. on HBO WHAT IT'S ABOUT Former New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, who resigned from office in 2004 after coming out and admitting to an affair with a state official, later went to the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan, began a "committed relationship" with financier Mark O'Donnell and now works as a spiritual adviser for Integrity House at Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearney, N.J. This portrait, by Alexandra Pelosi (daughter of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi), follows McGreevey -- who has not been granted priesthood by the Episcopal Church -- around on his ministries. MY SAY Alexandra Pelosi is an intelligent, sensitive filmmaker ("Right America: Feeling Wronged -- Some Voices from the Campaign Trail"; "The Trials of Ted Haggard") but her style also tends to be loose, jaunty and blissfully untroubled. In this portrait, she's not only incurious around the former governor, but she refuses to ask any difficult questions. In lieu of unpleasantness, she falls back on her default position of forced chumminess: "You still got it, Governor. You still got it!" But hard questions or real insights here might derail her -- and possibly McGreevey's -- simplistic narrative, of a good man whose singular, defining error of judgment was in hiding his homosexuality from so many for so long. "Coming out was a great gift," he says. "I'm gay? Big ----." But McGreevey didn't resign just because he was gay and married at the time, but because he had appointed his lover, an Israeli citizen, as the state's counterterrorism czar in the wake of 9/11, and when pressed, gave him a $110,000-a- year job as an "adviser." (The man, Golan Cipel, later threatened to sue McGreevey for sexual harassment.) Not a mention of that here, and as a result, Pelosi -- doubtless unintentionally -- has done a disservice to McGreevey, who almost looks like he's hiding from his past rather than confronting it. McGreevey makes a compelling point when he says "no one should be defined by the lowest point of their lives," but shouldn't public officials be defined by their careers? If his had been defined with any clarity here, this portrait would actually be powerful, and his "fall to grace" even moving. BOTTOM LINE A thorough whitewashing GRADE D+

Entertainment

ETTEL27.WEB

'Fall to Grace' review: Whitewashing

Newsday

fall to grace cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

34 must-see fall concerts

Fall theater preview

Too much 'Jeopardy'?

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Islip guitar maker John Monteleone presenting event at The Jazz Loft Oct. 15-17.

Learn about the art of guitar making from a master at Stony Brook fest

He talks about his book, the demise of WCBS NewsRadio and how radio has changed.

Catching up with WCBS NewsRadio's Tim Scheld

A sampling of the Piano Man's collection of 70 bikes can be viewed ahead of a November auction.

Movin' out: Billy Joel's motorcycles on display at Christie's auction house

Billy Joel will be auctioning off more than 70 motorcycles at Gooding Christie's in Manhattan next month. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger got a sneak peek at three.

'It's a rider's collection'

The longtime WALK-FM weather forecaster will retire on Oct. 16.

Radio legend Pat Pagano gets ready to sign off

He was selected out of 700 submissions for the gig.

23-year-old LIer lands gig as Quiet Riot's new frontman

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

Emma Slater will perform and host this year's show, which will be Feb. 5.

Feet accomplished: MSG to host 'Dancing With the Stars'

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

"The Good Wife" creators should have a hit with this series starring Mike Colter.

The verdict for legal drama 'Cupertino': Guilty of being terrific

Before "Abbott Elementary," there was "Our Miss Brooks" and more shows with smart TV teachers.

Remember these classy TV teachers?

The city of New York plays a big role in this "NCIS" spinoff.

Does 'NCIS: New York' make the grade with its locations?

The sitcom star and the executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond" will be inducted on Nov. 5.

Ray Romano to be inducted into LI hall of fame

Florence Pugh stars in Netflix's remake of John Steinbeck's classic, which is too long and too tedious.

'East of Eden' review: A tale of several deadly sins

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your look at what to know ahead of the 2026 Oyster Festival.

What to expect at this year's Oyster Fest

A sneak peek of Billy Joel's motorcycles going to auction next month

Marine life experts said two juvenile humpback whales became stuck due to sandbars created in last month's nor'easter. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

2 whales stranded on LI

The firefighter says her free speech rights were violated. The case demonstrates the depths of the divisiveness of politics in America today. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

LI fire department removes volunteer after Facebook comment about ICE

The Mineola High School marching band and wind ensemble have been invited to perform at London's New Year's Parade in 2028. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

LI High School marching band to perform in London New Year’s Parade

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to Seven Ponds Orchard in Water Mill where you can pick crisp apples, gather garden-fresh veggies, and let the kids burn off some energy at one of the island's largest playgrounds.

Out East: Seven Ponds Orchard

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

It's Oktoberfest every day at this Long Beach restaurant

Stuart Cameron, now the chief of the Old Westbury Police Department, said "The Long Watch" began as an attempt to share his experiences during 40-plus years in law enforcement with his children and grandchildren.

Chief Stuart Cameron talks new book 'The Long Watch' and Gilgo investigation

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Bisqo in Hicksville to try the Miso Overload, a Dubai-inspired creation which combines a frappe with a slice of tiramisu.

 Trendy Bites: Have your frappe with a slice of tiramisu on top

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano tries a crafty coffee at The Caffeinated Bunny in Melville.

Coffee cart opens at Melville flower shop

Sitewide Video Playlist

Some of the largest water consumers in Suffolk are commercial customers. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Conservation is a shared responsibility'

New court filings show the girl was allegedly isolated in her room and told not to leave the bed or speak with anyone for a full day while her appointed caretaker, Emily Kelly, visited the girl's father in prison. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

New court documents in Jor'Dynn Duncan case

Nearly $1.2 billion in unclaimed funds is available across more than 5 million accounts on Long Island, according to the state comptroller's office. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

$1.2B available across 5 million accounts on LI

The parking shortage at Jake's 58 Casino Hotel has been a common complaint. Now, the site is set to get an additional 800 parking spaces. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'When it gets late, you can't find a spot'

'Only the best of the best get invited'

'You're watching out over the citizens that live in the area you're responsible for'

'Kinda caught me off guard'

Starting in January, all SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs will be open to adults ages 25 to 55, even if they already have college degrees. Newsday education reporter Maura McDermott explains.

'Things change in life'

Long Island is seeing an uptick in trade school enrollment amid growing concern from young adults about job insecurity, financial prospects and the impacts of artificial intelligence on the job market. NewsdayTV's Izzy Mignardi reports.

'You're gonna have consistency'

The cost to educate students on Long Island has hit a record high, with districts projected to spend almost $42,000 per student this year. Newsday education reporter Maura McDermott has more.

'It's excessive'

The complaint said alterations made to the video are part of a broader cover-up by Farmingville Fire officials to shield the unidentified driver of the SUV, believed to be a high-ranking fire official, from accountability. Newsday reporter Michael O'Keeffe has more.

Estate of LI woman sues fire department

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Fall to Grace' review: Whitewashing

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.