MARCUS CHEONG watches the new biopic on controversial US televangelists Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker…
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (AU-M/US-PG-13)
In A Word: Controversial
Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain star as Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
US televangelists Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker have become synonymous with scandal. Their multimillion dollar television empire was brought down by fraud, infidelity and betrayal. Their story has been the subject of many news reports, documentaries, films and satires. This latest retelling offers an inside perspective from the point of view of The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
“The Eyes of Tammy Faye is an intriguing character study of a figure that has since become larger than life. For some she is the subject of mockery, for others a symbol of the material greed. Despite her unhealthy delusions, addictions, and desires, her most positive, enduring legacy is that she dared to love those that others deemed unlovable.”
Tammy Faye (Jessica Chastain) is presented as an effervescent, deeply caring and quirky character with a genuine love for people and God. When she meets the ambitious preacher, Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield), the two are quickly married and commence a humble ministry travelling the country with a puppet show. In a chance encounter, they are introduced to the burgeoning world of televangelism and before long they build the world’s largest television ministry. With the pressures that come with fame and wealth, their lives begin to fall apart piece-by-piece.
Producer and star Chastain shines in this role and has earned numerous award nominations for her outstanding performance. She physically transforms to create believable renditions of the iconic Tammy Faye as a bright-eyed teenager, then a drug addicted, middle-aged mother and finally a washed-up 50-year-old seeking one more moment in the spotlight. She captures the accent, mannerisms and singing voice of Tammy Faye in this carefully constructed recreation. More importantly, Chastain presents the heart of the character. Though she may be naive and oblivious to so much, she is fuelled by a deep desire to love and be loved.
Andrew Garfield’s Jim Bakker is far less flattering. What begins as passion for preaching a gospel of blessing and prosperity is soon twisted by greed, manipulation and impropriety. Despite the millions of dollars and adoring fans, Bakker never seems to shake off the insecurity that he begins with. Both Jim and Tammy share the same deep motivation: the desire to be loved. However instead of finding that fulfillment from God or each other, they seek comfort in material wealth, grand accomplishments and the arms of other lovers.
Vincent D’Onofrio (Marvel’s Kingpin) plays the stoic Jerry Falwell. His judgmental attitude towards homosexuals contrasts sharply with Tammy’s warm embrace of those that the church and society have outcast. The film does not shy away from this controversy or any other. Over the course of this two hour biopic, topics of homosexuality, infidelity and prosperity gospel are explored. The film strives not to vilify the Bakkers but to humanise them. It is clear that they are deeply flawed people who are blinded by their own success.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is an intriguing character study of a figure that has since become larger than life. For some she is the subject of mockery, for others a symbol of the material greed. Despite her unhealthy delusions, addictions, and desires, her most positive, enduring legacy is that she dared to love those that others deemed unlovable.
