Jessica Chastain nails the role of the televangelist who fell from grace
As an Italian, I’m not familiar with history of religious broadcasting networks in the U.S., but we do have similar channels in Italy and I have a Protestant aunt in my family: I remember that, when I was a little girl, I saw her many times watching TV while praying and singing with her favorite televangelists.
As a consequence, I didn’t have any idea about who Tammy Faye was until I saw Michael Showalter’s at Rome Film Festival, but let’s say I’ve “studied” the subject quite well.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye tells the story of Tammy Faye Bakker and her husband Jim, two televangelists who built an economic empire, establishing America’s most important religious network between the 70s and the 80s. Tammy’s iconic makeup, her singing style, and her genuine enthusiasm in welcoming people, without being swayed by bias about their sexual orientation or social background, made her a legend. However, her fortune ended in the worst way, due to financial issues, rivalries and scandals.
Showalter chose Jessica Chastain to play her part and the choice was totally on point: the actress nails the role, showing all the nuances of this controversial character, a genuine woman of faith, bewitched by the camera, overwhelmed by events and by a bad credit management, entrusted to her husband Jim Bakker (played by Andrew Garfield), who was involved in a sexual scandal too.
Based on the 2000 documentary of the same name by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is officially a biographical drama, but for many reasons it also delivers the tones of a pop comedy: there’s glitter, music, dances, puppets and it looks like everything is not fiction, but only part of Tammy’s personality and personal history. She loved changing people’s life and she resorted to any mean to approach them. That’s why her audience gave generous donations to her cause, and many times saved her from her bad luck. However, when the conservative-wing of the Congregation (jealous of their popularity) betrayed the couple revealing the truth, Jim Bakker fell in disgrace, leading Tammy to ruin as well. Her credibility was compromised, even if years later she found her redemption, making peace with herself and her fans. Despite some essential absurdities, Tammy will have you smiling and crying.
The film itself is enjoyable, well-directed, maybe not superb, but the work entirely stands on Chastain that, once more, shows her first-class acting: her performance is worth an Oscar.
