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NDP MP Olivia Chow, right, chats to actress Sook-Yin Lee who plays her in the made-for-television movie "Jack," about late New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton, at a reception in Toronto on Monday March 4, 2013.Chris Young/The Canadian Press

It's an odd thing to see one's life depicted by actors, even for a politician who has spent decades under the public microscope.

But Olivia Chow is undeniably proud of the new television biopic Jack – the story of the last tumultuous months in the life of her husband Jack Layton and their relationship which began 26 years earlier. She wants Canadians to see it.

Ms. Chow told a select audience of politicians, staffers, journalists and friends who saw the film at an Ottawa movie theatre on Tuesday night they must encourage everyone they know to tune in Sunday when the movie will be aired on CBC.

That will spread her husband's final message of hope, she told the crowd. "If we believe we can make a difference, we can make a change," she explained as people who knew Mr. Layton both personally and professionally wiped tears from their eyes after the lights were turned on following the poignant final scenes.

Rick Roberts, the actor who plays Jack, does a remarkable job of capturing his essence – his quirky ways, his external positivity in the face of the physical trials that dogged him throughout the 2011 election campaign. Anne McGrath, his former chief of staff who is portrayed by Wendy Crewson, said it made her feel as if she was given another hour and a half with her friend who died just months after the vote that made the New Democrats into the Official Opposition.

And CBC radio host Sook-Yin Lee nails both Ms. Chow's Cantonese accent, her direct manner, her quick laugh, and her soft edges.

Before the preview, Ms. Chow dissected the film with The Globe and Mail and talked about the parts of the film she found most memorable.

What part came closest to making you cry?

"I will give away the story," Ms. Chow said.

But, Olivia, people know the story.

"Oh yeah," she said. "We know the ending. Duh."

There follows much thought and muttering.

"OK, just a few minutes before the ending of the film, as Jack was about to pass away," she said. "With a voiceover of the note he wrote to me." It was a note written by Mr. Layton into an iPad as Ms. Chow slept beside him, and prompted sniffles all over the theatre.

What part of the film was the most embarrassing?

That was an easy question.

"The sex," said Ms. Chow. "The love-making scene. The scenes of Jack and I in bed together. Partial nudity, beware."

In fact, the sex scenes are less awkward than one might expect – and not revealing of much skin. For which the audience on Tuesday was undoubtedly grateful.

What scene took the most artistic liberties?

Another question that did not take much deliberation.

"The scene where there is a discussion between (campaign manger) Brian Topp and I preparing for Jack Layton's big debate during the election," said Ms. Chow. "I was not part of the planning committee. I wasn't part of the team that planned his debate. I showed up for the debate prep but my role was to make sure he wore the right tie and had the right suit. I was the 'look' person, not part of the brain team."

The film suggests that it was Ms. Chow's observation that "he's a ham bone, he's a performer, so use it," and that it was she who urged the team to go after Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff.

What scene would you relive if you had the chance?

"They are all equally strong and worthy of reliving," she said. "But I don't relive things. It's actually not my style. I live for the present and the future but I don't necessarily relive the past."

What is your favourite moment in the film?

The most difficult question of all.

"The favourite? There are so many," said Ms. Chow. "I can't think of any. I will think about it and tell you tonight."

By the time she took the stage after the movie had ended, she had her answer.

It was the moment when Mr. Layton was in the hospital and a nurse was telling him that she was honoured to have him as her patient. Mr. Layton replied that she was his boss. That was the best moment, Ms. Chow told the audience, the scene "that had Jack saying anyone can do this."

Gloria Galloway is a parliamentary reporter in The Globe's Ottawa bureau.

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