Jane Levy on Finding Tenderness in A Little Prayer

When Jane Levy first sat down with writer-director Angus MacLachlan to discuss A Little Prayer, she had no idea how deeply the project would stay with her. Shot three summers ago, the film is finally making its way to audiences and Levy couldn’t be prouder.

“It’s a very, very special movie that’s so dear to my heart,” Levy shares. “I really think it’s coming out in a moment where people could use the tenderness.”

Coming off the high energy world of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and its holiday spinoff, Levy was immediately struck by the quiet intimacy of MacLachlan’s script. Gone were the elaborate musical numbers and fantastical flourishes; in their place, a deeply human story of family, heartbreak, and yearning.

“I was nervous because I felt the script was so beautiful, and I just wanted to do it justice,” Levy recalls. “It’s unlike any part I’ve ever played before.”

That nervous excitement was only heightened by the opportunity to work alongside actor David Strathairn. Together, they anchored a film that thrives not on spectacle, but on the quiet power of human connection.

Shot quickly and on a small budget, A Little Prayer embraces simplicity. Levy describes the experience as stripped down and raw, a far cry from the large scale productions she had recently been part of.

“This movie is bare bones, no cheap thrills,” she explains. “It’s about family and the complexities of relationships. We filmed it very quietly, and in a way, that makes it all the more powerful.”

For Levy, the heart of the project lies in its timing. As audiences navigate uncertain times, A Little Prayer arrives with a message of grace and tenderness.

“I hope people walk away feeling seen,” Levy says. “Sometimes, the quietest stories can speak the loudest.”

With its understated beauty and heartfelt performances, A Little Prayer stands as a testament to the transformative power of small, intimate filmmaking. And for Jane Levy, it marks a role unlike any other in her career.

Q&A on the film A Little Prayer with actor Jane Levy. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.

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