The Eyes of Tammy Faye

Movie Trailer

Release Date
September 17, 2021

Genre
Biography, Drama

Cast & Crew

• Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Bakker
• Andrew Garfield as Jim Bakker
• Cherry Jones as Rachel Grover
• Vincent D’Onofrio as Jerry Falwell
• Mark Wystrach as Gary Paxton
• Sam Jaeger as Roe Messner

Director
Michael Showalter

Other Movies Director is Known For

• The Big Sick (2017)
• Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
• The Lovebirds (2020)

Producer
Jessica Chastain, Kelly Carmichael, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane

Writer
Abe Sylvia

Budget
$10 million

Production Company
Searchlight Pictures, Freckle Films, Madison Wells

Running Time
126 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
PG-13 (for sexual content and drug abuse)

Content Advisory

• Sexual content
• Depictions of drug use
• Mild language
• Religious themes

Movie Story
The Eyes of Tammy Faye delves into the rise and fall of one of America’s most infamous televangelist couples, Tammy Faye Bakker (Jessica Chastain) and Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield). The film explores Tammy Faye’s humble beginnings in International Falls, Minnesota, where her deep-rooted faith and love for gospel music paved the way for her entry into the world of televangelism. The narrative follows Tammy Faye and Jim as they build a religious empire that reaches millions of viewers, becoming one of the most influential religious broadcasters in the 1970s and 1980s.

The film portrays Tammy Faye as a compassionate and charismatic figure, known for her empathy towards the marginalized and her progressive views, which often put her at odds with more conservative religious leaders like Jerry Falwell (Vincent D’Onofrio). However, as the Bakkers’ empire grows, so do the financial and personal scandals that threaten to bring them down. Jim Bakker’s legal troubles and the couple’s lavish lifestyle ultimately lead to their downfall, but the movie keeps its focus on Tammy Faye’s resilience and unwavering faith.

Jessica Chastain’s transformation into Tammy Faye is nothing short of remarkable, both in terms of physical appearance and emotional depth. The film balances moments of humor and heartbreak, portraying Tammy Faye as a woman ahead of her time, whose message of love and acceptance remains relevant today. The movie also sheds light on her struggles with addiction and her complex relationship with her husband, making it a poignant character study set against the backdrop of one of America’s most controversial religious movements.

Special Effects
The special effects in The Eyes of Tammy Faye are subtle, focusing mainly on makeup and prosthetics to accurately depict the aging of characters and their transformations over the decades. Jessica Chastain’s makeup as Tammy Faye is particularly noteworthy, as it plays a crucial role in capturing the iconic look of the televangelist, from her famous heavy makeup to her evolving hairstyles.

Box Office Performance
The Eyes of Tammy Faye had a modest box office performance, grossing approximately $2.7 million domestically. Its release was more notable for its critical acclaim and awards buzz, particularly for Jessica Chastain’s performance, rather than its financial success.

Filming Locations

• Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
• Concord, North Carolina, USA
• Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina, USA

Notable Quotes

• “God doesn’t make junk.” – Tammy Faye Bakker
• “I just want to love people.” – Tammy Faye Bakker
• “You follow blindly, I see what I want to see.” – Jim Bakker

Behind-the-Scenes

• Jessica Chastain spent years developing the project and was instrumental in getting the film made. She also took singing lessons to perform Tammy Faye’s songs authentically.
• The film’s makeup team faced significant challenges in recreating Tammy Faye’s iconic look, especially her heavy use of mascara and colorful eye makeup, which became a symbol of her identity.

Awards

• Academy Awards: Won 2 Oscars (Best Actress for Jessica Chastain, Best Makeup and Hairstyling)
• Critics’ Choice Movie Awards: Nominated for Best Actress (Jessica Chastain)
• Screen Actors Guild Awards: Won for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Jessica Chastain)

Final Verdict
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a compelling and empathetic portrayal of one of the most colorful and misunderstood figures in American religious history. Jessica Chastain delivers a career-defining performance that anchors the film, bringing warmth, humor, and humanity to Tammy Faye Bakker. While the movie doesn’t shy away from the scandals that plagued the Bakkers, it ultimately paints a picture of a woman whose unwavering faith and compassion made her an enduring icon. For those interested in character-driven biographical dramas, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a must-watch.

IMDb Rating
6.6/10