The Eyes of Tammy Faye

The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a biographical drama film, directed by Michael Showalter, which was released in 2021. The film revolves around the tumultuous and enthralling life of the media personality, Tammy Faye Bakker, delicately depicted by the radiant actress, Jessica Chastain.

The film begins in the childhood of Tammy Faye, where we witness her early fascination with Christianity and the power of faith. We see her growing connections with the church, where she churns her charismatic persona and unique appeal. Tammy Faye is portrayed as an energizing force who lures audiences in with her heartfelt singing and animated storytelling.

The main arc of the story explores the romantic and professional relationship between Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, embodied by Andrew Garfield. The plot follows their journey from being enraptured young lovers to ambitious pioneers in televangelism. They create the unprecedented Christian broadcasting network, PTL (Praise The Lord), which revolutionizes the influence and reach of televangelism, making them household names.

As the PTL network takes off, so does their fame and fortune, leading to them living a lavish lifestyle that seems to contradict their humble beginnings and Christian values. Yet through it all, Tammy Faye remains an eccentric character, highlighted by her heavy eye makeup, colorful clothes, and flamboyant personality. Contrastly, Jim is displayed as a strategic businessman whose greed and lust start to overweigh his initial faith-based motives.

Through the portrayal of the Bakers, the film sheds light on the landscape of televangelism in the United States and the complexities associated with it. Their public life was often met with controversy and scrutiny. They faced allegations ranging from financial irregularities, sexual allegations to dirty conspiracy scandals. All the while, we see Tammy Faye’s unwavering empathy for her followers and her tenacious attempts to hold onto her faith amidst the chaos.

Jessica Chastain wonderfully engages the audience with her nuanced portrayal of Tammy Faye. She transforms herself flawlessly into the larger-than-life persona, which leads to sincere and complex engagement with her character. Her acting exudes Tammy's effervescent energy and offers a poignant depiction of a woman desperately holding on to her faith amidst scandal and public disdain.

Andrew Garfield compliments Chastain perfectly with his equally compelling performance. He captures Jim's charm and charisma that initially attracted followers and ultimately, his downfall. Their on-screen chemistry provides a captivating perspective on a marriage that was as much a business partnership as it was a romantic bond.

The film is enhanced by a strong supporting cast, featuring Cherry Jones, who delivers a compelling performance as Tammy Faye’s mother, Rachel. Her stern and grounded demeanor contrasts beautifully with the flamboyance of Tammy Faye, bringing engaging character dynamics.

Moreover, The Eyes of Tammy Faye doesn't shy away from addressing the controversial topics of the time, such as homophobia and AIDS. It presents Tammy Faye as one of the few evangelical Christian personalities who openly supported the LGBTQ+ community in the midst of the AIDS crisis when it was stigmatized even by the medical community.

Director Michael Showalter has skillfully harnessed this dynamic plot with a balanced direction, which is neither condemning nor sanctifying. With a soft empathetic touch towards its characters, the film attempts to unravel the human aspect behind the larger-than-life personas of the Bakers.

The film’s atmospheric cinematography captures the essence of the different time periods perfectly. It traverses through the '70s televangelist aesthetic to the decadence of the '80s, creating an immersive experience for the viewers.

In essence, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is provocative, radiant, and an occasionally outrageous biopic drama that dives deep into Tammy Faye's unconventional lifestyle and the moral skullduggery of televangelism. Bolstered by the mesmerizing performances of Chastain and Garfield, this film offers an intriguing exploration of faith, power, greed, and the blurry line between good and evil. While it revolves around religious figures, it’s less about religion and more about the human element in us all, regardless of our beliefs.