REVIEW: The Eyes of Tammy Faye Can’t Keep Up with Andrew Garfield and Jessica Chastain

The Eyes of Tammy Faye focuses on the rise and fall of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker (Jessica Chastain), and her memorable eyelashes, in the 1970s and the 1980s. Tammy and her husband, Jim Bakker (Andrew Garfield) spent two decades spreading the word of God and creating the largest religious broadcasting network, PTL, before scandal and schemes ruined their career.

Directed by Michael Showalter and written by Abe Sylvia, the film never diverts from its one focus, Tammy and Jim. There is no secondary storyline or characters introduced to distract from the biopic, but there are moments where you begin to lose interest in the film. From moments of slow pacing to unnecessary scenes, you will begin to question in the world you are still watching this film and the answer is Garfield and Chastain’s portrayals of Bakker and Faye.

Chastain and Garfield performances are like a trainwreck, you know you should stop looking, but you just can’t. Chastain literally transforms in front of your eyes, as do her eyelashes, as the film progresses and keeps you captivated from start to finish. Garfield’s performance is over the top and is the perfect way to bring Jim Bakker to life. From his verbal and nonverbal performance, the audience has no doubt what he is thinking at every moment of this film. The two are at their peak about three fourths of the way in the film when they are confronting each other about their relationship. Both of their performances can only be described as dazzling while also significantly creepy at the same time.

The duo is joined in the film by Cherry Jones (Tammy’s mother, Rachel LaValley), who is just as fantastic as Garfield and Chastain, and Vincent D’Onofrio who plays American Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and conservative activist Jerry Falwell. The characters are only minor players in the overall story, but they make a lasting impact.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye on the surface may not seem that interesting of a film to everyone, but it is definitely worth watching. The characters are not likeable, but the performances are phenomenal. Chastain and Garfield give their all in this film and it certainly pays off. Just be prepared to be questioning everything for most of the film.

Grade: A- for performances and C for creepiness