Those who grew up watching Jim and Tammy Baker on late night television in the 1970s may be fascinated by The Eyes of Tammy Faye, based on the documentary of the same name. Directed by Michael Showalter, it features impressive performances led by Jessica Chastain.
Drawn to the church as a little girl in the 1950s Midwest, Tammy Faye (Jessica Chastain) attends Bible College where she meets and marries Jim Baker (Andrew Garfield), a dynamic presence driven to lead and preach to the masses. Together, they inspire each other with his teachings and her singing to build an empire of lavish wealth by exploiting the power of television evangelism and garnering massive viewer pledges. When their exorbitant lifestyle exposes improper use of funds, their world comes crashing down amid marital infidelities. Through it all, Tammy Faye maintains her love for people with an indomitable spirit.
Tammy Faye is portrayed as a sympathetic, compassionate figure whose empathy for all people including gays during the AIDS epidemic runs afoul of powerful, religious leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson who hold sway and influence on viewership and politics. Chastain’s transformation is a remarkable display of makeup and acting while convincingly emulating her speaking and even singing voice.
Vividly
recreating TV sets and styles from the 1970s, this film is one version of an
American tragedy and the love story of a couple who had it all and then lost
it. In fact, Chastain and Garfield could have easily fallen into caricatures or a parody
of the Bakers. Here, they do not. You
may not change your opinion about the Bakers by film’s end, but you will
understand them better.
***
of **** stars (add ½ * for Chastain)
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