The CBC will air its biopic Jack about the late New Democratic leader Jack Layton this upcoming Sunday. The film documents the late politician's love with his wife and Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow, as well as his rise from Toronto's municipal politics to leader of the federal NDP party before passing away from cancer weeks after the 2011 campaign.
Chow told the Canadian Press she hops the biopic inspires viewers to "live in a hopeful and loving way."
A special screening was held here in Toronto this past Monday, and additional screenings will be held later this week in Ottawa and Winnipeg. In attendance were Layton's children and several cast members and party supporters. The article writes that Chow is often asked why she supported the creation of the biopic.
"Life is actually quite short and temporary," she told attendees at the Toronto screening. "If we can seize the moment and do as much and live as full a life as we can and make a difference (that’s worth knowing). And we can make a difference … So if we could get people to get a sense that: Yes, they can make a difference, yes they can live in a hopeful and loving way and change the world or change the community, change the neighbourhood, a little bit at a time. And that’s worth the movie and all of us coming together.”
Rick Roberts stars as Layton and Sook-Yin Lee stars as Chow.
Digital Journal called the film "an uncritical valentine to the late NDP leader" and gave it mixed reviews. "Part rom-com, part political biography and part hero-worship,
Jack ends up being a lightweight homage to a man who made a big mark in Canadian politics."
Jack airs Sunday March 10 at 8 p.m. EST.
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Original source: Edmonton Journal