The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)

Jessica Chastain's performance in the title role is a tour de force and the production design, hair, and makeup (prosthetic and otherwise) make it hard to look away, despite the overly long 2:06 run time. We didn't hate it. Andrew Garfield co-stars as Tammy Faye's husband televangelist Jim Bakker in the story adapted from a 2001 documentary of the same title. Cherry Jones plays Tammy Faye's mother Rachel, among the dozens of cast members.

Michael Showalter works from a script written by Abe Sylvia, based on the documentary by Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato. Jack and I remember reading about some of the events in the Bakkers' history when they occurred, but I was struck by Tammy Faye's continual optimism in this movie. Chastain's giggle and high pitched voice are quite the contrast from the actress' other work.

The original soundtrack by Theodore Shapiro can be streamed on Apple Music and elsewhere and Chastain, who had been wanting to produce and star in this after seeing the documentary, actually does her own singing, and quite well. Her songs are available to stream. Here's the imdb soundtrack list.

Chastain was last blogged for Molly's Game, Garfield for Hacksaw Ridge, Jones for The Party (followed by series arcs in Transparent and Succession, among others), Showalter for The Big Sick (followed by excellent TV directing including some of Grace and Frankie, Love, and The Shrink Next Door). This is Sylvia's second feature, and his credits include two episodes of Dead to Me and staff writer for the Nurse Jackie series.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics are blinking, averaging a scant 67%, while its audiences are keener at 88. In the credits, photographs of the Bakkers and other real people, e.g. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, are a testament to the skills of the makeup department. If you do watch the movie, stay through the credits to hear more of Chastain's songs and a little bonus shot at the very end.

We rented it on iTunes on November 18.