Title: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Michael Showalter
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones
Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins
What It Is: Born Tammy Faye LaValley (Chastain) in International Falls, Minnesota it was clear from an early age Tammy was connected to Christianity. When she meets the young and charismatic Jim Bakker (Garfield) at bible college the two fell in love and build an empire in the PTL (Praise the Lord) Club. Bringing their evangelical voices to Christian-based television programming, changing it forever. But was everything Jim was doing really on the up and up?
What We Think: Jessica Chastain is revelatory. Andrew Garfield is simply excellent and the film feels like a well-oiled machine. At this point, Showalter is more director than actor and he’s giving us the work to prove it. Let’s start with the script and performances. It’s a sharply put-together screenplay. One that lends to the actors being able to recite some well-thought-out lines. Showalter for his part continues a brilliant streak of well-made films. The story here is the marvelous work of one of Hollywood’s best actresses currently working…Jessica Chastain. She BECOMES Tammy Faye in every way one must in order to become someone. It’s a meme and a cliche at this point that transformative performance like this gain Oscar buzz and I think it’s highly possible Chastain earns a nomination. Trust me when I say that she’s earned it.
Our Grade: A, I adored this movie and can’t wait for whatever crazy film Showalter decides to do next. I fully expect Jessica Chastain to receive a nomination for this performance. I fully expect that to be one of if not the only thing it is nominated for. I’m telling you that you need to see this! If for nothing else then a Jessica Chastain performance that is constantly on the edge of mania one that I’m quite certain the late Ms. LaValley would’ve absolutely eaten up.