55. The Eyes Of Tammy Faye; movie review

 

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Cert 12A

126 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate sex, discrimination, drug misuse, implied strong language

I don't believe in God. There it is. I have said it. 

I cannot understand how any loving being would create a world where there is so much suffering.

It also seems to me that it is incredibly convenient that God should be praised whenever anything good happens but we should take the personal wrap or blame the devil should we sin.

I could go on and on about the crazy rituals involved in religion and how it has been the cause of so many conflicts across the world.

Therefore, the brand of populist Christianity practised in the United States is an anathema to me.

Indeed, the barmiest element of The Eyes of Tammy Faye is the manner in which its characters consistently refer to the love of God while lining their own pockets and creating power bases.

Yes, there is nothing in the bible which suggests that the Lord is best served by making as much money as possible and living in mansions.

Despite, the mantra of Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield), the Bible teaches the exact opposite.

During Michael Showalter's film, Bakker's views intoxicate Tammy Faye (Jessica Chastain) at bible school and she falls in love at first sight.

The movie follows them on their initial tour, teaching children religion through puppets to making it big with their own Christian satellite TV channel.

Inevitably, after a dramatic rise comes an equally startling fall as Jim's huge ambitions get the better of him.

Apparently, the Tammy Faye story was a passion project for Chastain who also produced the movie.

Thus, she takes the part with gusto and paints Tammy Faye as an eccentric but naive soul who simply wants to help people while singing her heart out.

The trouble is that interpretation implies that she really believes there is no contradiction between her husband's pious Christian teachings and her extravagant lifestyle.

It is also slightly perplexing at the way in which she ignores the questioning on these lines of her deadpan mum (Cherry Jones).

Either way, Showalter's film is enthralling. 

It is impossible not to be in awe of Chastain as she transforms with Tammy from an innocent young woman into the painted, super-confident TV evangelist.

Her Oscar nomination is well-deserved.

But Garfield is an excellent foil and Vincent D'Onofrio is worth a shout-out for his role as their dastardly competitor. He is unrecognisable.

Reasons to watch: Jessica Chastain is stunning

Reasons to avoid: Very sympathetic to Tammy Faye

Laughs: One

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Ironically, Tammy Faye's second husband was convicted of fraud, for criminal activity that dated before she was in his life.

The final word. Jessica Chastain: "I was on the press tour for Zero Dark Thirty, and I was jet-lagged in a hotel room somewhere. The documentary on Tammy Faye came on television, and I was blown away by her and the true story of who she was. I called my manager and my agent, and I said, "How do I figure out how to make a movie?" I got the rights in 2012, and we were on set shooting seven years later. " W Magazine

Share this post