The life of Tammy Faye Bakker is the kind of true-blue American story that is so bizarre and larger-than-life, it’s only fitting to be a passion project for someone of star/producer Jessica Chastain’s caliber. The Eyes of Tammy Faye, also named after the 2000 documentary, following the scandalous life of one of the most infamous, and elusive, televangelists is given the generic Hollywood biopic treatment in a film that consistently reminds you of how great it could’ve been, but rarely ever achieves.
The biopic, directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, Hello My Name is Doris) chronicles the rise and fall, and eventual rise again, of infamous Evangelical star Tammy Faye Bakker (Chastain), along with her first husband, Preacher Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield). Emerging alongside the likes of right-wing televangelists Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell (Vincent D’Onofrio), Jim and Tammy make a splash on television leading to their immensely popular Christian variety show, The PTL Club. Tammy was a singularity in that she was a devout Christian who didn’t shy away from preaching her faith, but was also a notable advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. In one of the films most moving moments, Tammy opens her heart and interviews an AIDS patient on live television, much to the chagrin of her colleagues.
While admittedly, Chastain’s performance takes awhile to gel, the Oscar-nominee delivers layers of vulnerably alongside a larger-than-life charm under pounds of make-up. Chastain, alongside a terrific Andrew Garfield, anchors the film whenever the tone becomes too muddled. Garfield, giving a true chameleon-like performance, defying his age and physique, is quickly becoming one of modern day’s finest new character actors. Once both actors disappear as the Bakker’s, they’re simply electric.
Director Michael Showalter wrings strong work from his extensive cast, which also includes memorable turns from Cherry Jones as Tammy’s disapproving mother and Vincent D’Onofrio as the smarmy Jerry Falwell, and there is a certain peppy energy to the storytelling that does its best to match the personality of its subject. However, Showalter doesn’t show the range as a filmmaker to bring the invigorating true story to life. With no strong narrative force, the film jumps from time period to major life event with little precision, the film feels largely unfocused. Showalter doesn’t find a clear tonal lane to stay in, meandering between bits of satire with dry biopic clichés that are beyond tired at this point. There is a bit of a spark in the films epilogue that finds Tammy Faye several years after the scandal that brought her husband to prison. Not only is this where Chastain’s vibrant performance fully comes together, but it brings the film to a more interesting close that Showalter and screenwriter Abe Sylvia would’ve been wiser to have dug a bit deeper into.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye can’t help but coast on the initial intrigue of it’s one-of-a-kind subject and it’s electric starring performances. Unfortunately, the potential for what could have been is smothered by a conflicting tone and an unadventurous narrative with little insight into the mind of its compelling subject. It serves better as a starring vehicle for its leads, but not a deep or poignant piece of cinema.
Jessica Chastain was outstanding in this, but the movie as a whole didn’t dig deep enough into her psychology other than some routine exposition involving her childhood. I feel had a stronger filmmaker directed the film, it would have explored deeper complexities.
It felt like a TV movie. Lacked daring. D’Onofrio very good though.
I’m definitely gonna check it out. Tammy Faye and her hubby were omnipresent pop cultural weirdos when I was growing up. I’m sure it’ll be flawed, but I can’t help rubbernecking this car wreck.
NO way aill I watch this! I have better things to do with my life than waste a couple of hours of it on Tammy Faye Baker’s life.
I hope to see more information from you! Thank you so much!
Wow haven’t hear that name in a long time and I think your well written review is enough for me, thank you
I actually really enjoyed this film and felt the acting was very good! I felt the makeup for Jessica and andrew were very spot on for the real life Tammy and Jim Baker. I’m a huge fan of this director’s work, such as the big sick and hello my name is Doris.
The eyes of Tammy Faye really let’s you in on the deep secrets, love affairs and perception drug abuse. I also loved how they had Tammy always drinking a diet coke lol. They were dead on with that, because she was obessed with diet soda!
There were a few flaws in the film, but overall I felt it was well done and the acting was well delivered.