The Eyes of Tammy Faye * * * *

There is actually another film from twenty years ago with exactly the same title. It was a documentary. This thoroughly entertaining dramatisation uses that documentary as it's source of material.

Tammy Faye is dead now.  She and her husband Jim Bakker were television evangelists in the 1980's. They started the PTL (Praise The Lord) network which became huge with over twenty million viewers.  In the end their marriage came under tremendous strain, they each had an affair, which all came to light. More than that they found themselves in serious financial trouble.  Jim Bakker was charged with fraud and tax evasion and was sent to prison.

Tammy got off a bit lighter. Nevertheless she ended up a bankrupt.

Four Stars! Thank you Jesus! (and Flip)

Yet, despite all that, you find it very easy to like them,to forgive them, and even feel sorry for them.  Tammy especially.  Perhaps they were misguided (has anybody got it right?) but you get the impression they genuinely did try to do good in their own way.  

Director Michael Showalter has handled the material like a sweet story that turns sour.  As shown in The Big Sick he has a way of truly endearing his characters to you.  The way Jesssica Chastain plays Tammy certainly helps. She is not only thoroughly convincing as the character she is also extremely likeable. Andrew Garfield as Jim Bakker is also very fine. 

The first half of the film is especially good, as we watch a young couple follow their dream. Its easy to  get on board with them.

Almost as omnipresent as the God she worshipped was Tammy's mother.  Always wanting to prove something to this negative, disaapproving, critical person, Tammy began to use her own voice more and more. 

Tammy made PTL cover many other issues and even included light entertainment like a morning chat show. More importantly she commenced serious and controversial interviews where she would share her opinion.  It was the time of aids and after a legendary interview with a man who's partner had died of aids she became an outspoken champion of the Gay community and an advocate of compassion for those suffering from the aids epedimic. She really meant it. She was not being opportunistic.

When it all came crashing down, along with their fine home, their christian theme park, their television station and all the rest, the media portrayed Jim and Tammy as the worlds greatest hypocrites. Their situation wasn't helped by the opportunistic conduct of fellow TV Evangelist Jerry Falwell.  Always jealous of their success, he persuaded the Bakkers to let him temporarily look after their affairs only to take the lot and publicly condemn them.  

In the end,  Tammy comes across as a good woman who lead a life no less moral than anyone else. Further, when it came to compassion and forgivness, Tammy practiced what she preached. And boy, could she sing!