The eyes say it all in the latest story of love and hope when all else seems lost and Zero Dark Thirty’s Jessica Chastain definitely has those eyes in the latest adaption about tv evangelists Tammy and Jim Bakker. The film reminds people of their love all platform and Ms Chastain does an exceptional job of showing that love to all.
Additionally, Jim Bakker is played by The Amazing Spiderman’s Andrew Garfield. Garfield equally does an exceptional job of portraying the charismatic TV pastor, who created and grew the “PTL” network before the exploitation that destroyed everything.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a movie of growth, heartbreak and ultimately revival in the sense of Tammy Faye as a child overcoming her mother’s shame of a divorce, to that of her own marriage. It’s not a movie to make one feel sad though, because ultimately it does what any good movie does. It brings hope in the darkest hours and for Chastain and Garfield who portrays the powerful evangelical couple, their acting will leave everyone fueled for Christ in a super pentacostal way.
The film also co-stars a few familiar faces including 24’s Cherry Jones who portrays Tammy’s mother in the best way she knows how to. She has a knack for taking on the worried motherly figure who only fears for her daughter, when she gets wrapped up in blind love by her husband.
Vincent D’Onofrio steps into the role of Rev. Jerry Falwell who ultimately helps the Bakkers with their TV platform until the scandal where he inevitably takes it over with hope of saving “PTL”. D’Onofrio also does an exceptional job in his portrayal.
Finally, there is one more young actress who does a great job especially up against Chastain herself. Glass Castle star Chandler Head has risen to great things as this time she is portraying a young Tammy Faye and she is doing a great job. She’s got the same loving expression that Chastain carries throughout in a few short scenes as well as a determination of knowing what she wants even when her mother (Jones) has every means to keep her from church because of her own shame. The young actress has definitely grown in her acting and it only leaves to wonder where she will be heading next.
At 2 hour 6 minute run time, The Eyes of Tammy Faye is a feel good movie that will leave everyone looking at the real life Tammy Faye just a little bit different. It is currently playing in theaters and is highly recommended. It’s also the first film where we get to hear Chastain’s unique singing voice as she did all of Tammy Faye’s original songs for the movie.