Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game, Zero Dark Thirty) is attempting to become the second actress to win a Lead Actress Oscar and a Lead Actress Emmy in the same year. After just two episodes of the five-part HBO miniseries Scenes from a Marriage, Chastain seems like a shoo-in to win an Emmy for her role as Mira, a middle-aged wife, opposite Oscar Isaac. The latter encounters some of the most challenging struggles a married person might ever have. It’s a hard-hitting, riveting drama that could sweep awards season in the miniseries category. Chastain further showcases her acting prowess as Tammy Fay Baker, the televangelist and our protagonist in Michael Showalter’s (The Big Sick, Hello, My Name is Doris).
While best appreciated as a performance piece by Chastain, who delivers the most exemplary performance of her career as a woman craving attention, approval, and intimacy, The Eyes of Tammy Faye stays light-hearted in tone, as it gives us an exclusive examination of the rise and fall of one of the most colorful public people of the 20th century. While some may have wanted a hard-hitting drama rather than the dramedy Showalter gave us, the character study outweighs the seriousness of the fraud committed by her husband, Jim (Andrew Garfield – The Amazing Spider-Man, Hacksaw Ridge), during the 1970s and 1980s.
Ambiguous from the start about how much Tammy knew about Jim’s fraudulent lies and embezzlement of capital that he claimed were being used for one outreach project that instead was used for something else. Specifically, Jim illegally misused over $350,000 of ministry funds. He told his audience he was going toward overseas missions, but he used that money instead to pay for part of Heritage USA, a Christian-themed water park he was building in South Carolina. In addition, he used funds raised on his show for personal expenses, including the Bakers’ lavish home. The movie was a great lesson about The 700 Club, which Jim co-hosted, and the Praise the Lord (PTL) Club, their late-night talk show, which debuted in 1976 and served as the vehicle through which Jim reached a broad audience. While a loving and considerate partner in the first couple of years of their marriage, Jim became consumed with his advancing ministry and opportunities to grow and reach wider audiences. This left Tammy struggling to find contentment in life and the intimacy she felt she had. However, she always showed a sunny disposition to the public, believing in others despite her inward battles.
While The Eyes of Tammy Faye follows most biopics’ rise/fall/rebirth formula, it still delivers. It never strays from its focus on Tammy’s larger-than-life magnetism, nor does it let the film’s tone feel too grave despite the deep-rooted sorrow that never drifted too far from the surface. Tammy differed from the ultra-conservative nature of many of her contemporaries, including Reverend Jerry Falwell (Vincent D’Onofrio – Full Metal Jacket, The Magnificent Seven), with whom she clashed over topics such as the Christian right’s judgmental condemnation of alternative lifestyles.
While Falwell and others pointed explicitly to the Bible in its reproach of a homosexual lifestyle, Faye counters with statements such as, “Well, I think God just loves everyone.” Tammy was certainly a deviation from the norm, making her divisive in her social circles and at home, as she and Jim drifted apart in their marriage. She tried to compensate for what she was missing with over-the-top hairstyles, layers of makeup caked to her face, and outlandish outfits. Unfortunately, her attempts to normalize her life proved futile as she became addicted to both public approval and prescription drugs.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye was educational and entertaining. With a charismatic Chastain at the forefront, this became one of the best biopics I’ve seen in a long time. Whether you know Tammy’s story or are just getting introduced to it, this is a film you don’t want to miss. But it’s something you can avoid running out to the theaters to see. Either rent on VOD or wait to see what it comes to on Netflix or Amazon.
Plot 9/10
Character Development 9/10 – Chastain brings Faye and her story to life in a way that a lesser actress would have faltered.
I don’t think Garfield was the right choice. He wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t great. I know we were not supposed to cheer for him, but I don’t think we rooted against him like we were supposed to.
Acting 9/10 – Chastain was perfect. Garfield was serviceable but was outmatched by Chastain’s dynamic performance.
Screenplay 9.5/10 – There was great flow throughout this film. The chronological storytelling provided a straightforward timeline, letting us enjoy the movie rather than focus on minute details.
Directing 9/10 – Showalter continues to create diverse, intelligent, and engaging films as he continues to perfect his craft. The only part of this film he didn’t nail was getting some natural chemistry going between Chastain and Garfield.
Cinematography 10/10 – It felt very cramped (in a good way). It took me back to the 1980s. All that was missing was my uncle’s station wagon as he and my aunt smoked cigarettes while I sat in the backseat, inhaling secondhand smoke while the chest seatbelt carved creases into my neck. Also, this film will win an Oscar for hair and makeup.
Sound 8/10
Hook and Reel 9/10
Universal Relevance 10/10
91%
B+
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