A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (2021).
The Oscars are nearly here! I missed this one at the cinema last year. But with impeccable timing, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” arrives on Disney+ so that I judge the Oscar-nominated performance of Jessica Chastain. And, boy, is it an impressive performance!
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
A biopic of the controversial TV evangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, who rose to great fame and fortune in the 1970’s before the wheels fell off their empire in spectacular style.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones.
Directed by: Michael Showalter.
Written by: Abe Sylvia. (Based on the documentary by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey).
Twitter Handle: #eyesoftammyfaye.
“The Eyes of Tammy Faye” Review:
Positives:
- The first minute of this movie, following the opening titles, give you every explanation you need as to why Jessica Chastain is a front-runner for the Best Actress Oscar this year. The Academy loves a ‘transformation’ performance, and Chastain’s journey from fresh-faced teen to a sad, overly-painted middle-aged woman is truly impressive. Chastain has been nominated twice before (for “The Help” and for “Zero Dark Thirty”) but stands a real chance here. It’s certainly influenced where I may place my vote.
- For a biopic to succeed, the subject matter must be engaging, and this one really is. Jim and Tammy Faye led a ridiculously eventful life, and the fact that the couple were acknowledged in the end titles as having contributed to the production gives credence to all of the twists and turns. As the Savage Garden song goes “I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists“. And the Bakker’s life, and the duplicitous actions of so called “Christian” men around them, sets the ‘industry’ in a very poor light indeed.
Negatives:
- Acting-wise, Garfield always seems to be a bit in Chastain’s shadow in this one. In particular, I wasn’t as convinced with his portrayal of Jim Bakker’s aging. He is blessed with an eternally boyish complexion. This sometimes works in his favour (for example in “tick tick… BOOM!“). But here it rather works against him.
Summary Thoughts on “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
I was told I needed to watch this one for the performance by Jessica Chastain. And they were right… it is impressive. But this is also a good film in its own right. Although it takes in all the usual biopic stop-overs of drugs, sex, elative highs and depressive lows, it still remains an engaging and enjoyable watch. Recommended.
Trailer for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMMLRnXPPJk .
